The Polk County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) is a comprehensive law enforcement agency serving Polk County, Florida, which spans over 2,010 square miles and has a population of approximately 715,000. As the fourth largest county in Florida by area and ninth by population, PCSO plays a critical role in maintaining safety across 17 municipalities, including Lakeland, the largest city in the county[1][7].
PCSO is led by Sheriff Grady Judd, who has been in office since 2005 and is notable for being the first sheriff in Polk County to be elected to six terms, reflecting strong community support[4]. The agency is organized into three primary departments: Law Enforcement, Detention, and Business Affairs. The Law Enforcement Department, commanded by Chief Ian Floyd, is divided into five divisions—West, East, Criminal Investigations, Special Operations, and Safe Schools. This department handles emergency responses, crime investigations, and patrols, covering 65% of the county’s population, including unincorporated areas and six municipalities under contract[1][2].
A key innovation by PCSO is its PROCAP (Proactive Community Attack on Problems) program, which uses crime analytics and mapping software to identify and respond to crime trends in real time. This proactive approach has significantly reduced crime rates in Polk County over the past 19 years by preventing crimes before they occur, rather than just reacting to them[2].
The office also emphasizes community engagement and safety programs, including the Safe Schools Division, which deploys Guardians and Sentinels trained to neutralize active shooter threats in schools, reflecting a strong commitment to public safety in educational settings[7].
PCSO has embraced technology and training modernization through partnerships like PoliceOne Academy, providing standardized online training to over 1,200 officers across multiple agencies, enhancing law enforcement readiness and compliance with accreditation standards[6].
Overall, the Polk County Sheriff's Office is recognized for its robust law enforcement capabilitie