News Conference Announcement: Today, Tuesday, September 17th, 1:30 p.m. at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Operations Center, 1891 Jim Keene Blvd., Winter Haven.
Sheriff Grady Judd will discuss the results of a multi-month Violent Gang Investigative Task Force (VGITF) created in February 2023. The VGITF was created as a multi-agency effort between the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies to investigate, disrupt, and dismantle gangs operating in Polk County. Multiple arrests and gun seizures occurred during the VGITF operations.
The Sheriff will present information, visual displays, and multiple seized weapons will be at the news conference.
If news media plan on attending the news conference, we ask that you let us know at [email protected]. PIO on-call phone: 863-370-0040
PCSO Grady Judd Will Brief Media On Multi Agency Investigation To Disrupt & Dismantle Gangs Operating In Polk County
Polk County Manager Appoints Assistant PCFR Chief To Interim Chief
Beasley has named Assistant Chief Shawn Smith to be interim chief. Shawn Smith (no relation to Hezedean Smith) has 21 years’ experience in fire services, all of which have been with Polk County Fire Rescue. He began his career in 2003 as a Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician. After serving as a Firefighter/EMT for two years, he was promoted to Engineer/Paramedic before moving to a Lieutenant/Paramedic position in 2007.
In 2016, Shawn Smith was promoted to the rank of Battalion Chief/Paramedic, and in 2019 he was promoted to Deputy Chief of Training. After serving as Deputy Chief of Training for two years, he transitioned to the Deputy Chief of Operations until being promoted to Assistant Chief of Business Services.
This is a developing story at and we will update as more information is released.
Polk County Fire Rescue Chief Resigns Following Critical Report
Bartow, Fla. (September 13, 2024) — County Manager Bill Beasley has accepted the resignation of Hezedean A. Smith, DM, effective Monday, September 30, 2024. Smith’s resignation follows release of a report commissioned by the Board of County Commissioners that reviewed management of the Fire Rescue Division (PCFR).
“After meeting twice with Fire Chief Smith and Deputy County Manager Joe Halman, I have placed Chief Hezedean Smith on two weeks of Administrative Leave, which will precede his resignation,” said Beasley.
In February 2024, Allen, Norton & Blue, P.A. (Tallahassee) was hired by the Board to review the work environment across the PCFR Division. It is important to note that this was a review, and not an investigation, as defined by the Florida Firefighters’ Bill of Rights. The Report outlined numerous challenges and recommended the County Manager review alleged management issues.
“I take the challenges and frustrations expressed by members of our fire rescue division to heart and want to assure our employees that Polk County wants to create a high-performing, highly valued culture within the Fire Rescue operation,” Beasley said. “Our focus is to immediately consider necessary changes to achieve that goal.”
Hezedean Smith began employment with Polk County on November 7, 2022. His annual salary was $168,096.22.
Polk Officials On The Hot Seat After Bombastic Report Opens Door For Further Scrutiny
By Carl Fish
The recent investigation into the Polk County Fire Rescue Department has raised questions and concerns about the entire Polk County BOCC management. Management directly related to the fire rescue department would be the county manager, the deputy county manager, the equity HR manager, the program director of Equal Opportunity and PCFR Chief. Each of these individuals has a direct connection to the management of the county and direct interaction with the PCFR.
The current county manager is Bill Beasley. Per the county’s website “Polk County Manager Bill Beasley began his career with the County in 2006 as the Deputy County Manager over the county’s Infrastructure Group, which includes the divisions of Facilities Management, Fleet Management, Parks and Natural Resources, Real Estate Services, Roads and Drainage, Utilities and Waste and Recycling.
As the head of county government’s administrative branch, which is established by the Polk County Charter, Beasley is responsible for the proper administration of all affairs of the county. In his role, Beasley also executes the Board of County Commissioners policy direction, manages the county budget and staffing resources, engages in community relations, fosters economic development, confers in land use planning (environmental land, development, etc.) and ensures regulatory compliance.”
The significance of the county manager is that he is the head of everything. The numerous allegations against PCFR Chief Hezedean Smith all occurred under his supervision. So if they are found to be true or accurate, then he ultimately is responsible. What did Beasley know and when did he know it? L Additionally more investigations are underway within departments that work in conjunction to the PCFR. These investigations are disturbing as it shows additional issues may be going on in county management outside of the PCFR. We are currently seeking out the specific of those investigations and will share as information is released.
Editors Note: As of the posting of this article there has been no official statement regarding the investigation finding by county officials. An article by the Lakeland Ledger confirms no comments have been made yet.
The next person in direct connection is the county’s Deputy County Manager Joe Halman over Public Safety. If you will recall the investigation into the PCFR stemmed from the termination of Battalion Chief Charlie True who was deployed to a hurricane disaster zone. It was the Halman’s directive to work only 12 hour shifts. This started a confluence of several situations that led to the termination, then reinstatement (with demotion) of former Battalion Chief True. The recent PCFR investigation revealed a significant bias in how True’s disciplinary actions were conducted versus other PCFR personnel. DCM Halman was the direct cause of these issues. Additionally DCM Halman has had allegations of favoritism when it came to discipline of a fire captain James Williams in the death of a Lakeland woman in 2018 (Tampa Bay 10 Report). DCM Halman was proud to say he suspended captain Williams for 24 hours after the captain did not follow the county’s two in two out policy and shared Snapchat social media video of the fire while the Lakeland woman perished inside. Additionally disturbing is that DCM Halman dismissed accusations that PCFR personnel changed out white personnel on PCFR vehicles for black personnel during MLK parades around Polk County. “Halman denies that the County has swapped white employees for African American employees on apparatuses and states anyone is welcome to walk in the parades. However, he also advises that PDRTP graduates are put in the parade to highlight the program.” the recent PCFR investigation revealed. Emails have been obtained by the DailyRidge that clearly show white personnel being temporarily assigned to different units during MLK parades around the county. Either DCM Halman was unaware of what occurred under his leadership, misspoke to investigators or directly lied to investigators in his assessments of the situation. Recently a former PCFR captain has accused DCM Halman of belittling him during their interactions in a meeting regarding the termination of the captain. DCM Halman was the direct supervisor for embattled Chief Hezedean Smith and was instrumental in Chief Smith’s hiring.
The Equity and Human Resources manager Kandis Buford department is under a separate assessment by Matrix Consulting Group. This assessment stemmed from a required, every 8 years, Polk County Efficiency Commission compliance report. “The County will move forward to hire a skilled consultant to conduct a more comprehensive assessment of the EHR Division to include organizational structure, staffing, and related service efficiencies. This work will be initiated no later than July 2024.” per the report.” Former employees and a whistleblower are coming forward with complaints regarding EHR department. Buford is also the direct supervisor of the Equal Opportunity department which investigates all allegations and complaints. The recent PCFR investigation revealed many, many complaints about Chief H. Smith which were revealed to not be thoroughly investigated.
The Equal Opportunity Department and it’s Program Director are under scrutiny for how the conducted investigations into allegations. The program director Richard Bradford oversaw the questionable investigations into Chief Smith. An investigation into the department seem warranted considering the allegations in the PCFR Investigation report.
PCFR Chief Hezedean Smith has been the subject of several articles regarding his alleged conduct as chief and perpetuating a “Toxic” work environment. Those allegations could lead to his termination or resignation as soon as Friday (Report details ‘toxic’ workplace allegations at Polk County Fire Rescue)
Update: At 11:30am Friday the Polk County Administration has advised that PCFR Chief H. Smith has resigned
At this time a statement has not been released by the county administration or government. No comments have been given regards the allegations either. We will report on those statements as soon as they are released.
THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OFDISTINGUISHED COUNSEL
Stephen K. Brooks, of Brooks Law Group, has been selected to the 2024 list as a member of the Nation’s Top One Percent by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. NADC is an organization dedicated to promoting the highest standards of legal excellence. Its mission is to objectively recognize the attorneys who elevate the standards of the Bar and provide a benchmark for other lawyers to emulate.
Members are thoroughly vetted by a research team, selected by a blue ribbon panel of attorneys with podium status from independently neutral organizations, and approved by a judicial review board as exhibiting virtue in the practice of law. Due to the incredible selectivity of the appointment process, only the top one percent of attorneys in the United States are awarded membership in NADC. This
elite class of advocates consists of the finest leaders of the legal profession from across the nation.
Former PCFR Captain & Current Frostproof Fire Chief Disputes Comments Made By Deputy County Manager Halman In Recent Report
By Anita Todd & Carl Fish
An official report of the management of the Polk County Fire Rescue Division was recently released. At least one former employee disagrees with the comments made in the report by Deputy County Manager Joe Halman, Jr. and say that he is incompetent and disrespectful to others including employees and civilians.
In the recent report by Allen Norton & Blue, P.A., which was engaged by the Polk County Board of County Commissioners (“Board”) to provide a review of the management of the Polk County Fire Rescue Division (“Fire Rescue” or “Division”) comments were attributed by DCM Halman, which Riner disputes. Here are those comments from the report “In another example, a battalion chief had accepted the position of interim Fire Chief for the City of Frostproof. However, Article 16, Section 7, of the collective bargaining agreement between the County and the bargaining unit of battalion chiefs prohibited such secondary employment with another fire rescue agency. The County well-reasoned that the risks associated with liability questions under the Florida Heart and Lung Act as well as potential conflicts of interest outweighed the battalion chief’s interest in the interim position.”
Riner contends those statements are not entirely accurate. Riner advises he was also the Frostproof Fire Chief and Fire Inspector before he was hired by the County and he says his supervisors – including Halman knew of that part-time employment. However, Riner points out to receive state funding, in early 2021, the administration told him he needed to resign from the Frostproof positions.
The state funding requires that firefighters are only employed by one fire department. The County “well-reasoned that the risks associated with liability questions under the Florida Heart and Lung Act as well as potential conflicts of interest outweighed the ‘battalion chief’s’ interest in the ‘interim’ position,” the report read.
Riner disagrees with that statement saying that the information Halman provided for the new report is incorrect.
“I wasn’t the ‘interim’ fire chief of Frostproof. I was the Fire Chief and I wasn’t a ‘battalion chief’ for the County. I was a captain,” Riner said. “If Halman can’t get important details of someone’s career and circumstances that effectively ended it, how can he be trusted with others careers?”
Riner felt he followed protocol and met with administration to ask to continue as the Frostproof Fire Inspector since that position wouldn’t require him to be around dangerous chemicals and materials. He was told in April of 2021 that he would be notified of the decision. Months passed with no word.
In September, he was told by the then-Fire Chief Robert Weech that he would receive a waiver to work for the City of Frostproof, which never happened.
In October, he was called to meet with Halman, Weech and Kandis Baker-Buford, Director of Equity and Human Resources. In the meeting, Riner said that Halman belittled the captain with 27 years of experience saying, “Let me ask you? What good are you on a scene? You are just an EMT.” Riner explains that he meant he wasn’t a paramedic, a more specialized position.
“Holman made me feel insignificant as a captain. Being accused of insubordination and untruthfulness questioned my character,” he said. “I felt beaten. I didn’t want to go through it anymore.”
In the same meeting, Riner said Halman told him, “You are gonna do it (resign from Frostproof) or you are going to be terminated.”
“I asked if I could speak to his supervisor – someone above him – and he said, ‘No. It stops with me,’” Riner said.
Following was a series of meetings, write ups for insubordination and untruthfulness, and administrative leaves with and without pay for Riner.
Riner hired an attorney and his wife, Stacey, became very vocal on social media, especially Facebook. Finally, Riner received a verbal offer: He would be allowed to retire if his wife would stop all social media posts and “stop being vocal.” Riner was also required to halt all legal action.
Riner said that he had accepted what happened – although he was forever changed by the actions of Halman and other administrators – until the new report.
“I knew they were coming after me. If you get in their sights, something is going to happen to you,” Riner said. “I had accepted it until this new report came out with Halman giving the wrong details about what happened with me.”
Riner retired from the County. He is still employed by the City of Frostproof and has been for 32 years.
“He didn’t ruin my career. He ended it with the County,” Riner said. “He is supposed to be the highest level of administrator in fire service and he’s so incompetent that he can’t get the story straight. How can he be trusted with others’ careers?”
Teen Allegedly Stabbed His Mother To Death! He Says His Mother Lunged At Him With A Knife
On Sunday, September 8, 2024, at approximately 6:00 PM Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a call for service on Hewlett Drive in Auburndale. Collin Griffith, 17, called 9-1-1 for help, stating that he and his mother, Catherine Griffith, 39, had gotten into a fight. He claimed that during this argument, his mother lunged at him with a knife, and fell on it, resulting in a deep stab wound to her neck.
Polk County Fire rescue responded with emergency medical services and Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded. When they arrived on scene, they pronounced Catherine deceased. PCSO deputies asked Collin Griffith what happened and he became immediately uncooperative, and asked to speak with a lawyer. As the investigation continued, detectives began to notice inconsistencies between what Collin had stated happened in his 9-1-1 call and what was discovered at the scene.
Detectives talked with witnesses who told them that they saw Collin and his mother outside the residence earlier verbally arguing. They witnessed Collin grab his mother by the hair and drag her inside the home. According to these witnesses, his mother repeatedly pled with Collin to “let me go”.
Although she was not present during the stabbing incident on Sunday, Collin’s grandmother told detectives about multiple instances in which Collin was physically or verbally confrontational with his mother in the past.
His grandmother also revealed that Collin had been arrested in the shooting death of his father in Oklahoma in February of 2023. Collin was arrested and charged in this 2023 incident, but charges were later dropped.
Collin was charged with domestic violence battery against his mother in November, 2023 by the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.
The Medical Examiner’s Office’s autopsy revealed that Ms. Griffith died of a deep penetrating knife wound to the neck. They determined the stab wound to be inconsistent with an accidental injury.
“Collin Griffith is a violent predator—he has now killed both his father and his mother. We will hold him accountable in Polk County—we will do everything we can to keep him separated from civil society.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Collin Griffith is being charged with first-degree murder (Capital Felony), kidnapping (F1), and violation of a no-contact order (M2).
Auburndale Man Killed In Lakeland Crash
LAKELAND, FL (September 11, 2024) – On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at approximately 10:31 a.m., officers responded to a traffic crash involving a red Toyota Celica and a grey Ford pickup truck in the 1600 block of East Memorial Boulevard. Just prior to the crash, the Toyota was headed westbound on East Memorial Boulevard and Ford was traveling eastbound on East Memorial Boulevard. For unknown reasons, the Toyota crossed over the center turn lane and into the eastbound lanes of travel. The front of the Toyota then impacted the front of the Ford.
The Lakeland Police Department Patrol Units, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department all arrived on the scene to begin life-saving measures. Despite the best efforts of these responders, the driver of the Toyota was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver and passenger of the Ford were transported to Lakeland Regional Health for serious bodily injuries.
The roadway was partially shutdown for approximately three hours.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation. Anyone with information regarding the crash is asked to contact Traffic Crash Investigator Officer Travis Payne at travis.payne@lakelandgov.net.
Toyota Driver (Deceased):
Moises Perez Martinez
Age: 39
Auburndale, FL
Ford Driver:
Patrick Accetta
Age: 71
Ford Passenger:
Dianne Accetta
Age: 75
Polk County Fire Chief Accused Of Using The N-Word & Using The Term “Cracker” Investigation Reveals
By Carl Fish
A recent independent investigation into the Polk County Fire Rescue, requested by the Polk County Commission, has revealed several allegations, particularly concerning the department’s fire chief. Dr. Hezedean A. Smith is the current Fire Chief of Polk County Fire Rescue in Florida. Appointed in 2022, Dr. Smith was expected to bring a wealth of experience to the role, having served in various fire rescue positions prior to this. He was also celebrated as the first Black fire chief in the county’s history.
Additionally, he is the COO of Global Emergency Services Consulting Group, LLC, and an adjunct assistant professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Chief Smith also recently published an article for the International City/County Management Association titled: Exploring Diversity and Meritocracy in the Fire Service. In the article he writes “In today’s public safety profession (fire and emergency medical services), fostering inclusivity and equitable practices has become imperative for effective service delivery to the community and organizational development. As part of a professional development cohort, I had the opportunity to conduct a quantitative study that explored the correlation between diversity fatigue and meritocracy within the profession.”
In the report recently released by the Polk County Commission several allegations have been made that do not appear to show Chief Smith fostering inclusivity and equitable practices.
Editors Note: Please remember the following are not comments or assertions by the author of this article or the DailyRidge.com. The comments come directly from the investigation conducted. This investigation did not conclude any finding individually regarding Chief Smith. As they state that was not part of their investigation. However, county administrators are reviewing these allegations and as soon as they have a statement we will provide.
Here are a couple of allegations regarding Chief Smith in regards to race:
“The investigation report states that one witness alleged Smith recounted a story to her in which he used the “ ‘N word’ ”. Another witness alleged a co-worker said Fire Chief H. Smith used the word “cracker.” The first witness employee reported to this Review that after the 2023 MLK, Jr. parade, Fire Chief H. Smith told her that he had observed an African American battalion chief shaking hands with white firefighters, which prompted Fire Chief H. Smith to say to the battalion chief, “Hey [n-word], get over here, why are you shaking their hand? They should be thanking you.” The first witness was not present at the parade; she alleges that Fire Chief H. Smith told her that is what he said. Similarly, another employee reported that the battalion chief told her that Fire Chief H. Smith had used the word “cracker” while at the parade. The employees reported these allegations to EO in this investigation. The battalion chief in question denied hearing Fire Chief H. Smith say the “n-word” and denied both hearing Smith say “cracker” or telling his co-worker. The investigation report does not state whether or not the investigators asked Fire Chief H. Smith about those allegations. The report makes no mention of these allegations in its Conclusion and whether or not they were taken into consideration in finding the complaints unsubstantiated.”
Editors Note: The EO department is under scrutiny for allegations it did not do thorough investigations into several cases brought before them.
Here is another allegation regarding Chief Smith within the context of race and comments regarding the EO investigations:
“For example, in the EO Office’s investigation into a complaint by a former Digital and Media Services Manager against Fire Chief H. Smith, the ultimate report does not address numerous allegations against Smith. The Digital and Media Services Manager provided documentation alleging that Smith, on multiple occasions, commented on the races of current or future employees or appeared to suggest that race could or should be factored into an employment decision or practice. It also appears that numerous potential witnesses were not interviewed by the Equal Opportunity Administrator. The Digital and Media Services Manager provided alleged witness accounts from Josh Whitehead, Jen Boden-Evans, Jennifer Huff, Deborah Jones Strafford, Betzi LaCounte complaining about Fire Chief H. Smith’s conduct. The report does not mention if it interviewed those witnesses nor does it appear to address their allegations.”
These are not the only allegations regarding race and Chief Smith. We mentioned others in another article regarding the release of the 45 page report (Full Report).
At this time the county has not made an official statement regarding the investigative report, it’s findings or any additional investigations that may come from this report.
This is a developing story and we will follow up as more information is revealed.
