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 Alicia Manautou. 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.

Dec 16, 2016

PCSO and Local Businesses Bring Christmas Joy to Families

Media Contact: Carrie Horstman, PIO

On Saturday, December 17, 2016, PCSO West Division COPS (Community Oriented Policing) deputies will bring some Christmas cheer to 29 children during the annual Westside COPS Christmas party, thanks to generous donations and local businesses.

Each year, deputies identify children in the community who otherwise would not receive much for Christmas, and they partner with Sanlan RV & Golf Resort to provide a catered lunch and distribute the gifts. In the past, the goal of this project was to provide at least 3 gifts per child. This year, thanks to an overwhelming outpouring of support from private citizens in our community, each child will receive at least 10 gifts or more, including much-needed school clothes, other clothes, shoes, toys, and gift cards.

"We cannot begin to express how grateful we are to the wonderful citizens and businesses who join us in this effort to provide Christmas cheer to children who might not otherwise have anything under their Christmas tree. We have always known that we live in the best county in the state, but these acts of kindness just reinforce that feeling. Merry Christmas, everyone." - Grady Judd, Sheriff

The gifts and food were purchased by the deputies, with funds provided by Polk Sheriff's Charities, Inc., Target Inc., K&K Nursery, Sanlan RV & Golf Resort, Toys 'R Us, Beef o' Brady's, Family Fun Center, Dairy Queen, and Walmart, along with private donations from citizens around the county.

The party will be held at the Sanlan RV & Golf Resort, located at 3929 Hwy 98 South in Lakeland. The children and their families will arrive at 11:00 a.m., where they will be treated to pulled pork, macaroni & cheese, cole slaw, baked beans, cookies, and drinks, provided by donations. There will be a PCSO K-9 demonstration, the PCSO Mounted Unit, and other PCSO static displays.

From 12:30 – 2:00 p.m., two volunteers, acting as Santa and Mrs. Claus, will help the COPS deputies hand out the gifts to the children.

The media is invited and encouraged to attend this annual event!