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 3, 2023

PCSO supports donation campaigns for children and families in need

Media Contact: Carrie Horstman, Administrator

There are two great campaigns running in Polk County right now where citizens can donate items to help children and families in need:

The Polk County Sheriff's Office recently partnered with the University of Florida's Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences to collect new jars of peanut butter that will go to local food pantries to help feed local families.

Peanut butter is not only nutritious AND delicious (Sheriff Judd prefers crunchy JIF, in case you're wondering) it's shelf-stable and made from a product grown right here in the Sunshine State. You can drop jars of peanut butter off at any of our district offices or our main Operations Center in Winter Haven. Click here for our list of locations.

The other campaign is something that PCSO has participated in before with great success - Re/MAX Experts in Lakeland is collecting stuffed animals and childrens' books, which our deputies give to kids who need comforting after a traumatic event.

Re/MAX will be accepting donations at their Lakeland Office, 4110 South Florida Avenue, Suite 110 (between Mission BBQ and Dairy Queen) until October 31st. Their hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

See the video about peanut butter donations.

See the video about bears and books donations.