Polk County Sheriff’s Phone# 863-298-6200
If in an emergency Dial 911
News and Investigations
News & Investigations
News Releases and Public Information
Welcome to the Polk County Sheriff's Office News Room, where the Public Information Officers (PIO's) post all of the information that they release to the news media. PIO's act as liaisons between news media organizations and the Sheriff's Office. The PIO's routinely release timely and accurate information and Crime Stoppers bulletins, and respond to routine and "breaking news" media inquiries. News releases and Crime Stoppers information can be found on this page.
PCSO's full-time Public Information Officers are Brian Bruchey, Carrie Horstman, and Alicia Manautou. The Public Information Officers can be reached by sending an e-mail collectively at PIOs@polksheriff.org.
The recent news releases sent out by the PIOs can be found here, and archived releases (older than 2017) can be found here.
Jul 31, 2019
Accreditation assessment team invites public comment
Media Contact: Carrie Horstman, PIO
A team of assessors from the Commission on Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) will visit the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in August to examine all aspects of law enforcement policy and procedures, management, operations, and support services.
“Verification by the assessment team that the Polk County Sheriff’s Office meets the Commission’s state-of-the-art law enforcement standards is part of a voluntary process to gain re-accreditation, a highly prized recognition of professional excellence. This is just one of ten national and international accreditations earned by our agency.” - Grady Judd, Sheriff
As part of the on-site assessment, agency members and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session on Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. in the PROCAP Room at the PCSO Sheriff’s Operations Center, 1891 Jim Keene Boulevard, Winter Haven, FL, 33880.
Anyone wishing to comment who cannot attend in person may call (863) 287-2934 on August 13, 2019, between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., to speak to the assessment team.
Telephone comments, as well as appearances at the public information session, are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with CALEA standards.
Questions regarding the standards should be directed to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Office of Professional Compliance located at 1891 Jim Keene Boulevard, Winter Haven, FL, 33880. The PCSO contact is Mandy Presson, Accreditation Manager (863) 298-6368, or by e-mail at mpresson@polksheriff.org.
Anyone wishing to offer written comments about the Polk County Sheriff’s Office's ability to meet the standards for law enforcement accreditation, or for more information about CALEA, may write to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement, Inc. (CALEA), 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, Virginia, 20155.