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.

Oct 19, 2018

Lakeland man arrested for lewd activity at county park

Media Contact: Sherrie Morgan, PIO

On October 18, 2018, at around 11 a.m., 71-year-old Richard Kolari, of Lakeland, approached an undercover detective in Gator Creek Preserve Park in north Lakeland, exposed his genitals and started making sexual comments. The detective was at the park addressing complaints of lewd acts occurring in public.

Kolari was arrested and charged with one count of lewd behavior and one count for soliciting. He was transported to the Polk County Jail and later posted a 1,000 bond and was released.

“These public parks are meant for children and families to enjoy—they should never have to worry about this kind of activity going on. We will continue conducting these investigations to keep those who want to violate the law away.” - Grady Judd, Sheriff