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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.

Leslie Bushart mugshot
Jun 26, 2020

Lake Gibson Middle School...

Detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested a teacher from Lakeland’s Lake...

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Polk County News
Jun 25, 2020

Two arrested in shooting ...

On Wednesday, June 24, 2020, PCSO deputies arrested 20-year-old Marshall Hayes and 18-year-old Bella...

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Michael Folsom
Jun 25, 2020

Local contractor arrested...

On June 24, 2020, PCSO detectives obtained an arrest warrant for 39-year-old Michael Folsom of Lakel...

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Polk County News
Jun 17, 2020

PCSO in need of substitut...

PCSO is seeking qualified men and women in various locations in Polk County who desire to work as su...

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Simon Anderson mugshot
Jun 17, 2020

19-year-old Lake Wales ma...

Arrested: Child pornography and stalking of a 10-year-old

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Operation Guardians of Innocence V poster
Jun 16, 2020

Sixteen suspects arrested...

In early 2020, Polk County Sheriff’s Computer Crimes detectives served search warrants and mad...

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