Polk County Sheriff’s Phone# 863-298-6200
If in an emergency Dial 911
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.
Sep 25, 2019
Phone scam alert - callers posing as PCSO members
The Polk County Sheriff's Office recently received reports from citizens regarding telephone scams during which callers represent themselves as PCSO members.
During the call, the scammer will tell the person who answers the phone that they have a warrant for their arrest (one reason - missing jury duty) and that to resolve it they need to obtain a "green dot" money card. The scammer offers to walk the person through the process. The scammer will also leave a call-back number, claiming the number is a PCSO number. If you call the number, you receive a recording with instructions. The scammers are also leaving voicemails, instructing you to call PCSO.
"This is a new twist on an old scam - this time the scam artists are actually leaving call-back numbers, with recordings claiming to be from official Sheriff's Offices. Please alert your family members, especially elderly ones who are more prone to being taken advantage of, that we do not call residents asking for money." - Grady Judd, Sheriff
PCSO reminds residents that our main number is 863-298-6200, and that law enforcement NEVER solicits money to rectify warrants. Please call our main number to verify the legitimacy of any call you receive from PCSO. Do not send prepaid money cards to strangers.