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.
Nov 1, 2016
Accreditation Assessment Team Invites Public Comment
Media Contact: Carrie Horstman, PIO
A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Public Safety Communications Accreditation, administered by the Commission on Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), will visit the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in November to examine all aspects of Telecommunications policy and procedures, management, operations, and other support services.
“Verification by the assessment team that the Polk County Sheriff’s Office meets the Commission’s state-of-the-art standards for Telecommunications public safety is part of a voluntary process to gain re-accreditation, a highly prized recognition of professional excellence.” - Grady Judd, Sheriff
As part of the on-site assessment, agency members and members of the community are invited to offer comments to the assessment team. Interested parties may call (863) 307-5298, on Sunday, November 13, 2016, between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to speak to the assessment team. Telephone comments are limited to 5 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with Public Safety Communications Accreditation standards.
A copy of the standards is available at the Sheriff’s Office of Professional Compliance located at 1891 Jim Keene Boulevard, Winter Haven, FL, 33880. The local contact is Michele Cash, Accreditation Manager (863) 298-6368, or by e-mail at mcash@polksheriff.org.
Those who desire to offer written comments about the Polk County Sheriff’s Office’s ability to meet the standards for public safety communications accreditation may write to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement, Inc. (CALEA), 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320 Gainesville, Virginia, 20155.