Public Information Officers | Polk County Sheriff's Office

Polk County Sheriff’s Phone# 863-298-6200

If in an emergency Dial 911

Carrie Horstman

Media Relations Administrator

Carrie Eleazer Horstman began her career at the Sheriff’s Office in 1999 working for the Law Enforcement Colonel. Prior to working at PCSO, she spent 8 years in the U.S. Air Force as a Cryptologic Arabic Linguist. She joined the PIO office in 2002, and became the Media Relations Administrator in 2020. She has a Bachelor's degree from Troy University in Criminal Justice, and an MBA from Southeastern University. She also holds a Certified Public Manager certification from Florida State University. Carrie is a past President, Vice President, and Treasurer of the Florida Law Enforcement Public Information Officers Association (FLEPIOA).

Carrie can be reached via email at carrie@polksheriff.org, or in her office at 863-298-6217.

Brian Bruchey

PIO

PIO Brian Bruchey began his career at the Sheriff’s Office in 2007 as a patrol deputy, following graduation from Polk State’s Kenneth C Thompson Institute of Public Safety. Prior to working at PCSO, he worked as a radio and television broadcaster for 19 years, mostly in the Dayton, Ohio area. In Florida, he’s worked for WDBO in Orlando, WONN, WLKF, Max 98.3, and 97.5 WPCV in Lakeland, and as a writer for Today & Tonight Magazine. Brian joined the PIO Office in 2017.

Brian can be reached via email at bbruchey@polksheriff.org, or in his office at 863-298-6341.

PIO Meghan Petty began her career at the Sheriff’s Office in 2024. She has years of experience in social media and marketing management, and a proven track record of effective communication using data to transform social media and marketing strategies. Meghan holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Florida International University. She is fluent in English and Spanish, and is actively learning both French and Portuguese.

Meghan can be reached via email at mpetty@polksheriff.org, or in her office at 863-298-6631.