Sanford Police officers were removed from patrol duties and are under investigation for their response to an emergency call last summer.
In June 2024, police responded to a call from RaceTrac gas station near US 17-92 and Lake Mary Blvd. The gas station employee was held at knifepoint by Randal Lawton, 62, in the company’s bathroom. According to the arrest report, officers found the woman lying down while Lawton held a knife over her.
The woman was covered in blood, had two lacerations on her neck, multiple lacerations on her left hand, and a missing tooth. Lawton was charged with kidnapping and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. A newly surfaced video online shows the body camera footage of police arriving at the scene, causing outrage with what they call delayed action. The Sanford Police Department posted a video statement to Facebook where Chief Cecil Smith acknowledged concerns with the initial officers’ hesitation to enter the bathroom as the woman was confined and calling for help. He also agreed that the video requires review.
The footage, posted to ‘EWU Bodycam’ on YouTube now has 2 million views and more than 14,000 comments. The footage starts with police arriving and a bystander stating “You need to get in there quick man – He just cut her damn neck!” As the video continues, officers enter the gas station to locate the bathroom. Although you could hear the woman screaming, officers decided to wait on backup saying that the hallway was narrow and that it could be a setup. Smith said he was never informed of this response. “ In gathering information today, I was made aware that after the incident, a debrief was held by the immediate supervisors, in which the response was analyzed and discussed; however, a formal internal notification to my office regarding the incident did not occur, leaving myself unaware of the incident and any concerns surrounding it,” said Smith. This mistake is now corrected.
An administrative investigation is taking place for the officers’ actions. The two initial officers were placed on administrative assignment until results have been concluded from the investigation. After this incident officers participated in active assailant training that had already been scheduled. “As part of the administrative investigation, we will include a review of these trainings, and any possible need for changes or enhancements to that curriculum,” Smith said. “I want you to understand something –We hold our officers to higher standards. When information and things of this nature come to our attention, we will investigate and take the proper actions.”
Smith said that once the investigation is completed, it will be made available to the public with their goal to be as transparent as possible as they continue to build trust in the community. He is asking for the public’s patience as they work through this.
