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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 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.

Operation March Sadness 2024 suspect poster
Mar 5, 2024

Polk County Sheriff’s Off...

During an eight-day-long undercover human trafficking operation, which began on Thursday, February 2...

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Madeline Albarran and Angel Nunez
Mar 1, 2024

Two arrested for accessor...

"We believed at the time that the Madeline Albarran and Angel Nunez were knowingly harboring Davie A...

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Taylor Harris and La'Darion Chandler
Feb 23, 2024

Family Support contract w...

Couple arrested in Lakeland; she does work for DCF, he does a lot of crime

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Rabid bat
Feb 22, 2024

Polk County has first con...

Bat found with rabies in Lakeland

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STARR program graphic
Feb 21, 2024

Breaking down silos: New,...

The STARR program is a new mental health alliance partnership between the Polk County Board of Count...

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Operation Pop Top
Feb 16, 2024

Eight convenience stores ...

One sales clerk arrested for illegal alcohol sales

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