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.

Nov 17, 2022

PCSO seeking volunteers to patrol Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland

Media Contact: Carrie Horstman, Administrator

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with Bonnet Springs Park to help provide a family-friendly, visitor-friendly safe environment for park guests. The Sheriff’s Office is actively seeking volunteers to participate in the Bonnet Springs Park Citizens Assisted Patrol (CAP) program.

The park is currently patrolled by PCSO CAP volunteers during regular park hours using marked 4-seat electric utility task vehicles provided by the Sheriff’s Office, and there are plenty of opportunities available to join the team.

Volunteers will be asked to work flexible, two-hour shifts between sunrise and sunset. New Bonnet Springs CAP volunteers will be trained in patrol, observation, and crime prevention techniques specific to the needs of the park. They will have direct communication with park security and local law enforcement. Members will also be provided with a volunteer uniform shirt and ball cap. Volunteers will also serve as goodwill ambassadors for Bonnet Springs Park.

In order to apply to be a volunteer, citizens are asked to send an email to volunteer@polksheriff.org, call 863-298-6681 to ask for an application, or download the application by clicking on “PCSO Volunteer Application packet” at the bottom of the page. A criminal background check will be conducted on all volunteer applicants.

“We are so excited about this beautiful new park close to Lake Bonnet and downtown Lakeland, and we're even more excited to be able to help patrol the area with PCSO volunteers. The Bonnet Springs Park CAP patrol will be a great addition to our already-popular volunteer program that we hope will result in even more opportunities to bring people together and keep the park a safe and enjoyable place to relax and enjoy the outdoors.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Bonnet Springs Park is a blended urban/natural 168-acre park located just outside of downtown Lakeland. For more information about this new beautiful park, go to https://bonnetspringspark.com/.