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 Meghan Petty. 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 1, 2016

PCSO Vice Unit Arrests Man at Saddle Creek Park

Media Contact: Carrie Horstman, PIO

On Thursday, June 30, 2016, the PCSO Undercover Vice Unit conducted an operation at Saddle Creek Park in unincorporated Polk County, in response to complaints about lewd activity. One suspect was arrested.

65-year-old Dennis Batten, of Auburndale, solicited an undercover PCSO detective to perform a lewd act at Saddle Creek Park, and also exposed himself to the detective. Batten was arrested and charged with one count Offering to Engage in Lewdness, and one count Indecent Exposure. He was also issued a trespass from all parks in the county. He was released from jail on $500.00 bond.