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.

Jun 1, 2018

First Positive Rabies Case Confirmed

Media Contact: Carrie Horstman, PIO

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Section confirmed on Friday, June 1, 2018, the first positive Rabies case in Polk County for 2018.

On Thursday, May 31, 2018, a Lakeland woman reported stepping on a bat that was laying in her yard on Robertson Street.

The PCSO Animal Control Section responded, impounded the bat, and sent its body to the state lab for rabies testing.The bat was confirmed positive for rabies by the State Laboratory on Friday, June 1st.

Residents are reminded that raccoons are among the mammals considered to be high risk species or “rabies vector species” (RVS).Please do not approach any animal which is acting in an unusual or suspicious manner. If you think you or your pet has had an “exposure,” please contact the PCSO Animal Control Section at 863.577.1762.