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.

Jul 27, 2018

2nd Positive Rabies Case in 2018 Confirmed in Polk County

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

The Polk County Sheriff's Office Animal Control Section confirmed on Friday, July 27, 2018, the second positive Rabies case in Polk County for 2018.

On Sunday, July 8, 2018, a Winter Haven man found a bat at his residence on River Lake Road. He took the animal to a bat rehab center in Hillsborough County, where it bit an employee.

The bat was sent to the state lab for rabies testing, and on Thursday, July 26, 2018, the Florida Department of Health notified Animal Control that it tested positive for rabies.

The first Polk County case of rabies this year was May 31, 2018 in Lakeland.

Residents are reminded that bats 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.