Polk County records 23,221 arrests, which accounts for a portion of the approximately 508,490 arrests made in Florida every year. Under the Florida Sunshine Law, anyone may request arrest records as prepared by law enforcement officers and other agencies in the county. Requestors must pay fees ranging from $1 to $24 to obtain reports in the county.
Due to statutes or court orders, the public cannot access specific records, such as medical, juvenile, or personal identifying information. These records are only accessible to individuals involved in the case, the Polk County Attorney's Office, judicial officers, and law enforcement agencies.
Polk County arrest records can be accessed through certain agencies including local police departments, the sheriff's office, the Polk County Courts, or the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) allows individuals to make online requests for the county's arrest records. To initiate the Public Records Request, contact the Public Records Custodian at (863) 298-6300 for the form. Fill out the form and send it to the PCSO by mail or in person at:
Polk County Sheriff's Department
1891 Jim Keene Blvd
Winter Haven, FL 33880
Police departments in Polk County keep arrest records of offenders in their respective cities or towns. Individuals must contact the records custodian at the police department where the arrests occurred to make the request. When requesting an arrest record, either in person or by mail, it is advisable to provide the arrestee's name and the date of the arrest. A fee may be required for obtaining copies of the records. Some police departments in the county provide online access to their arrest and incident logs. Notable police departments in the county include:
The Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) under the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) manages the Criminal History Record Check System. Individuals may perform online searches using Instant Search, Certified/Non-Certified, and the ORI Search options. It costs a fee of $24 to use the Instant Search option. Alternatively, they may visit the office in person at:
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
2331 Phillips Road
Tallahassee, FL 32308
For additional information, please contact the FDLE's Records Custodian at (850) 410-7676.
In Polk County, the Circuit and County Courts maintain criminal records, including arrest records. Anyone may obtain an unofficial copy of the records for free by using the court records search. Individuals may request official criminal court records from the Polk County Court Clerk by mail or in person. To obtain the report, please ensure you identify the correct court, provide the defendant's name or case number, and remit the required copy fee.
In addition, individuals may obtain arrest records from Polk County through reputable third-party websites such as InfoTracer. These platforms offer users faster access, greater convenience, and wider search capabilities.
Polk County has an arrest rate of 3,102.9 arrests per 100,000 residents. A summary of the arrest statistics (both adult and juvenile) reported in Polk County is listed below:
| Arrest Type | Number of Arrests |
|---|---|
| Aggravated Assault | 1,043 |
| Murder | 21 |
| Robbery | 103 |
| Larceny | 1,222 |
| Rape | 70 |
| Burglary | 300 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 210 |
| Bribery | 3 |
| Manslaughter | 11 |
| Fraud | 248 |
| Arson | 7 |
| Simple Assault | 3,899 |
| Drug Arrest | 3,615 |
| Forgery | 35 |
| Extortion | 5 |
| Abduction | 15 |
| All other crimes | 10,839 |
| Total Number of Arrests | 23,221 |
Source: Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) UCR Arrest Data
It is situated in Polk county, Florida with a total number of 360 employees - 106 female, 127 male officers and 127 civilians. Polk County SO ORI (Originated Agency Identifier) number is FL0530000, it belongs to the South Atlantic division in the South region with a region code of Region III.
| Department | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Auburndale Police Department | 2 Bobby Green Plaza | (863) 965-5555 |
| Bartow Police Department | 450 North BroadwayAvenue | 863.534.5034 |
| Davenport Police Department | 16 Bay St W | 863-419-3306 |
| Haines City Police Department | 35400 U.S. 27 | 863-421-3636 |
| Lake Alfred Police Department | 190 N Seminole Ave. | (863) 291-5200 |
| Lake Hamilton Police Department | 100 Smith Avenue | 863-439-4711 |
| Lake Wales Police Department | 133 East Tillman Avenue | 863-678-4223 |
| Lakeland Police Department | 219 N Massachusetts Avenue | 863.834.6900 |
| Winter Haven Police Department | 125 N. Lake Silver Dr | (863) 401-2256 |
| Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Avon Park Correctional Institution | 8100 Highway 64 East | 863-452-8801 |
| Polk Correctional Institution | 10800 Evans Road | 863-984-2273 |
| Polk County FL South Jail | 1103 Us Hwy 98 West | 863-635-6920 |
| Polk County Jail & Sheriff | 455 N Broadway Ave | 863-534-6300 |