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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.

Operation Child Protector IV poster
Oct 10, 2023

Six suspects arrested dur...

Beginning September 19, 2023, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Lakeland Police Department, Haines City ...

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Operation Pop Top
Oct 4, 2023

OPERATION POP TOP: Two ar...

Student working with deputies successfully purchased alcohol from two stores

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Polk County News
Oct 3, 2023

PCSO supports donation ca...

There are two great campaigns running in Polk County right now where citizens can donate items to he...

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Paul Johnson
Oct 2, 2023

Murderer of a Polk County...

Paul Johnson, killer of 3, including a PCSO deputy, dies in state prison custody

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Drive By Shootings suspects
Sep 28, 2023

PCSO charges three teens ...

Boys 14,16, & 17 charged with 12cts of attempted murder and much more

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Freddy and Maria
Sep 28, 2023

Polk County Sheriff’s Off...

During a seven-day undercover human trafficking operation, which began on Tuesday, September 19, 202...

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