ASK ANY one of the 160,000 Hialeah residents and he won't hesitate to say that his city would be a better place to live if its police problems were solved once and for all.

The current feud between the Hialeah Police Department and Mayor Raul Martinez has tarnished the image of "the city that progresses." More seriously, sagging police morale helped Hialeah's crime rate soar 29.6 percent during 1985. Crime rose another 11.1 percent during the first half of 1986, figures released on Thursday show.
Hialeah's police performance is termed the worst ever. Officers admittedly neglect their duty. For example, it takes up to 2 1/2 hours to respond to calls that shouldn't take more than 15 minutes. Officers go as far as awarding a gallon of milk to the colleague who "milks" a call the longest. That's disgraceful.

Former Chief Cecil Seay retired in April after his name surfaced in the investigation of Hialeah crime figure Alberto San Pedro. Mayor Martinez deepened the crisis by assuming the chief's functions in April.

The city has now the opportunity to correct things. After screening 237 candidates in a nationwide quest, a search committee has presented three finalists for chief -- two outsiders, one from within the department.

A temporary court order prevents Mayor Martinez from taking immediate action. The Police Benevolent Association, which represents the Hialeah officers, obtained the order on the grounds that the city violated its charter by not giving written examinations. If written exams are given and an outsider is among the top finalists, Mayor Martinez should appoint the new chief from outside. It's best for Hialeahans and their police department.

This recommendation in no way means that there aren't sufficiently qualified officers within the department. It simply means that the Hialeah force is too fragmented and faction- ridden to regain its discipline, morale, and impetus under an insider's command.

An outsider would have no factional ties, neither enemies nor allies. He would be in a unique position to take corrective measures necessary to restore the force's pride and performance. Moreover, the search committee ranks the local candidate, Maj. Manuel Martin, third among the three finalists.

Yet three Hialeah City Council members -- Andres Mejides, Paulino Nunez, and Julio Martinez -- say that they won't vote for any outsider. The nominee will require approval of five of Hialeah's seven council members, so one of the opponents must yield.

Which of you will it be, gentlemen? Won't one of you show that the nationwide search wasn't just a charade, that he truly cares about Hialeahans' safety and the department's integrity?