In Polk County, Florida, Grady Judd, the renowned lawman with a six-decade career, is known for his tough-talking press conferences and innovative approaches to law enforcement. As he prepares for his sixth term as sheriff, he is focused on keeping crime down and implementing new initiatives to address challenges facing the community.
One of his key initiatives is a program to assist the mentally ill and prevent them from ending up in jail. He is also training a unit to tackle the emerging threat of artificial intelligence in crime. Judd emphasizes the importance of finding alternatives to incarceration for the mentally ill and ensuring they receive proper treatment.
With a $236 million budget, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to reducing crime and providing essential services to the growing population of Central Florida. Judd’s commitment to his community and his innovative approach to law enforcement have earned him national recognition.
As he reflects on his long career in public service, Judd remains focused on the future and the challenges that lie ahead. With the support of his community and his team, he is confident in his ability to continue serving as the sheriff of Polk County.
Judd refers to as a friend, appointed him to the state’s Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission in 2019, where he helps set law enforcement training standards.
Mr. Judd and Marisa have three children, now adults. He wants to be remembered as a “servant leader”—one who takes care of his people and ensures they have the tools necessary to do their job.
“We’re all in this together, and we all have a role to play,” Mr. Judd said. “We just need to make sure that we’re doing our part.” Judd, who vocally supported in his unsuccessful 2024 presidential campaign, was appointed to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission (2018–2023). President Donald Trump, whom Judd openly endorsed in 2016 and quietly supported in 2020, appointed him to the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (2020–2023) without much fanfare. Judd’s passion for education, combined with his innate organizational talent and media savvy, serves as a powerful crime-fighting tool.
His commitment to education began during his time as a dispatcher when he convinced Lakeland Community College to establish a police science program. He later earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Rollins College through the Law Enforcement Education Program (LEEP). These educational experiences transformed his approach to policing and equipped him with valuable tools for his work.
Judd has made college degrees a requirement for promotion within the PCSO, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and professional development. He also mandates that officers attend specialized training programs such as the FBI National Academy and Northwestern University’s Center for Public Safety.
Throughout his career, Judd has implemented various crime-fighting strategies and technologies, including the CompStat methodology inspired by a seminar he attended in the ’90s. His commitment to enforcing minor crimes to prevent major offenses has significantly reduced crime rates in Polk County.
Judd’s innovative approach to policing includes programs like the Proactive Community Attack on Problems (PROCAP) initiative, which focuses on data-driven community policing. He has also established the National Innovation Academy in partnership with Polk State College to provide STEM-based leadership training for law enforcement professionals.
As a former teacher and current mentor, Judd continues to impart his wisdom and values to new employees at the PCSO. He emphasizes the importance of honesty, ethics, and customer service in resolving conflicts, setting a high standard for professionalism within the organization. “When individuals are unable to resolve conflicts on their own, they reach out to law enforcement for assistance, and it is our duty to intervene and find a resolution. While there may be instances where we need to use force for protection, our goal is to minimize these situations as much as possible,” emphasized Sheriff Grady Judd. He stressed the importance of accountability within the organization, stating that everyone understands the expectations from the moment they start working there.
Sheriff Judd highlighted the significance of loving and trusting one’s work and workforce before being able to effectively lead them. He expressed his trust in the men and women of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, emphasizing the need for mutual respect and belief between leaders and their team.
With a new class of recruits on the horizon, Sheriff Judd looks forward to inspiring and guiding them within a law enforcement agency that boasts a waiting list of applicants, showcasing the agency’s positive reputation. He takes pride in the longevity of many employees’ careers within the PCSO, a stark contrast to when he first joined over 50 years ago.
During a tour of the PSCO’s headquarters and Emergency Operations Center, Sheriff Judd highlighted the inspirational art and recognition of employees and deputies who have dedicated themselves to the agency. He emphasized the importance of doing what is right and caring for the community, reiterating his role as a coach who supports his team while they carry out the essential work.
Sheriff Judd’s leadership has shaped the agency into a place where individuals come to learn, grow, and protect the community. His dedication to the well-being of both his team and the community shines through, making the Polk County Sheriff’s Office a beacon of excellence in law enforcement. Could you please rewrite this for me? Please rewrite this sentence.
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