The Polk County Sheriff’s Office, located in central Florida, employs over 1,800 full-time (sworn, certified, and civilians), over 232 part-time, and 3,000 volunteer members. The Polk County Sheriff's Office primary service response area consists of the unincorporated areas of Polk County (those area with Polk County that are outside city limits) and contract cities. The unincorporated area of Polk County totals approximately 1,909 of the county's total 2,010.2 square miles. This service area is subdivide into specific geographic areas of directed patrol and investigative responsibility composed of two divisions and five districts.
External link for Polk County Sheriff's Office, FL
Rescue efforts, clean-ups, and lending helping hands were in full swing this week as Polk County began its recovery from #HurricaneMilton, which hit on Wednesday, October 9th, and extended into the weekend. Many of the photos below highlight the northwest Lakeland area, which faced significant flooding from the heavy rains that preceded Milton’s landfall. #PCSO #PolkSheriff
At 2:07 a.m. on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies followed up on a tip regarding the whereabouts of Cheryl Lynn Williams, who was wanted on a felony warrant. The deputies went to 4345 Foxtown South in Polk City. Three of the deputies entered the residence while Deputy Blane Lane remained outside in case Williams tried to flee out of the house. When deputies found Williams inside, she pointed a gun (later determined to be a BB gun) at them. Two of the deputies quickly fired at Williams and wounded her, but one of the bullets missed her, struck a wall, and continued outside of the house where it struck Deputy Lane in the left arm and entered his chest. Deputy Lane was taken to the hospital but passed away a short time later. Because Deputy Lane was fatally wounded as a result of Williams' actions, she was charged with second-degree murder. She also faces charges of aggravated assault on a LEO (3 counts), resisting without violence (3 counts), and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. Blane Lane was only 21 years old. #PCSO #NeverForget #WeRemember #ThinBlueLine #AHeroRememberedNeverDies
Our Human Resource team, pictured below, has successfully staffed a law enforcement academy with 22 cadets and 21 new members who joined us this Monday. This group includes roles such as Telecom, Clerical Assistant, Deputy Sheriff (1), Detention Deputies (2), Deputy Sheriff Trainees (12), Executive Secretary of Communications, Part-Time Fleet, and Detention Support Specialist. We are grateful to all our agency members who recommend new hires and remain dedicated to our agency, making our work smoother each month.
The Polk County Emergency Self-Contained Rescue Team, comprised of approximately 45 members from the Polk County Sheriff's Office and Polk County Fire Rescue, left Bartow this morning around 6:45 am, heading to Perry, FL, in Taylor County, to assist the law enforcement and first responders in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. We are entirely self-contained, with mobile command centers, food and drink, mobile kitchen, mobile showers, mobile bunks, generators, water tanks, and fuel trucks, along with our swamp buggy, airboat, surface drive boat, and ATVs. We will be able not only to help answer calls for service if needed, but we will also be able to rescue any citizens, clear debris from roads and residences, and do whatever we can for the hurricane victims so they can get back on their feet as quickly as possible. PIO Meghan Petty is with the deployment team, documenting everything, and will be on-site to assist with any media requests. We anticipate it will take the better part of the day to get to that area and set up. Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. -Helen Keller For those of us unable to go, please pray for these communities impacted by this hurricane and the safety of all those firefighters, medics, detention, dispatch, our PIO, and deputies out there working! Thank you!
Today is HR Appreciation Day and we want to celebrate the invaluable work of our HR Professionals. They play a pivotal role in shaping the workforce, developing talent, and fostering a positive workplace culture. They are the unsung heroes behind the scenes, ensuring organizations run smoothly by nurturing and managing the most important asset-people. In recent years, HR professionals in law enforcement have faced incredible challenges navigating the pandemic and designing new ways to go around an industry that many did not wish to apply. This group is constantly organizing wellness initiatives such as a new class on "Picky Eaters 101 & After-School Snacks", creating new recruiting and marketing strategies, and conducting timely and accurate backgrounds. They also answer the phones when people call the main sheriff's office, deliver the mail to all the districts, and so much more. This week our team is working hard on staffing the upcoming Law Enforcement academy that starts next week and this month's orientation that begins on Monday.
"Around here, a badge and a cowboy hat mean one thing: Sheriff Grady Judd and his lawmen are on the case." Come wear one of our hats and join this great team. Apply at https://joinpolkso.com/. Our next academies: Dual academy is November 6, 2024 (Corrections & Law Enforcement) Law Enforcement (Accelerated) January 15, 2025 Law Enforcement Crossover February 26, 2025
Yesterday was World Gratitude Day and the members of the Polk County Sheriff's Office took the time to express gratitude and appreciation for the positive aspects of their life. A heartfelt thank you to our members for their loyal service and to our community for their unwavering support. We couldn't do this without one another, and for that, we are truly grateful!
Check out our very own Detective Jonathan Quintana-Rivera proudly sporting his custom-made sheriff shoes! 👟👮♂️ This dedicated robbery detective not only keeps our community safe but also wears his pride for the sheriff and the agency on his feet! It’s not every day you see such a unique show of support. Way to represent, Detective! 💙👏 #SheriffPride #LawEnforcement #CommunityStrong #SteppingUp
It all began in 2021 when gang members filmed themselves dancing on a drowning victim's grave, sparking events that led to the formation of a task force. This effort resulted in over 100 gang members being identified and arrested, 57 guns seized, and a 30% reduction in drive-by shootings. With the support of homicide and robbery units, Operation Drive-By led to the arrest of 19 suspected members from five different gangs. “This is kids killing kids, and we’re not going to accept that. We’re not going to allow that.” – Grady Judd Watch press conference: https://lnkd.in/e3BSD-r4