Polk County Sheriff’s Phone# 863-298-6200
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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 29, 2020
PCSO Accreditation Assessment Team invites public comment
Media Contact: Alicia Manautou, PIO
A team of assessors from the Commission on Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), Public Safety Communications Accreditation (PSCA) program is scheduled for an on-site assessment of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in November to examine all aspects of Telecommunications policy and procedures, management, operations and support services, Sheriff Grady Judd announced today.
“Verification by the assessment team that the Polk County Sheriff’s Office meets the Commission’s state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to gain re-accreditation, a highly prized recognition of professional excellence.” - Grady Judd, Sheriff
The public may call (863) 978-9833 on Monday, November 9, 2020, between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., to speak to the assessment team.
Telephone comments are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with PSCA 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 local contact is Mandy Presson, Accreditation Manager, (863) 298-6368 or by e-mail at mpresson@polksheriff.org.
Persons who desire to offer written comments about the Polk County Sheriff’s Office ability to meet the standards for accreditation may write to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement, Inc. (CALEA), 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, Virginia 20155. Persons may also write the Commission at this address for more information, regarding the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), Public Safety Communications Accreditation (PSCA) program.