scheduler

staff attorney

deputy sheriff

crime analyst

correctional officer

POLK COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE

The upper/mid management loves to run off good employees, hold on to terrible ones, create an unsafe work environment by emboldening the inmates and crippling the staff.  When staff reach out for help in their personal lives it is held against them professionally; unless you are related to someone with a higher rank within the county.  Then it is swept under the rug and cancer is allowed to keep growing.  

Getting time off has been reduced down to putting in for your days off before Thanksgiving the year before and only 5 of the 40+ people on the shift get the day off.  If you need a day off any other time you will likely be denied "due to staff shortages."  Even if the jail is considered fully stuffed you won't be able to get time off.  

The Teamsters union is equally worthless as the chief steward is hand picked by the administration and given a cushy job Monday-Friday day shift with zero expectation of being mandated for overtime.  Anytime you need help from the union, you are basically waved off because the chief steward isn't going to risk his comfortable job for anyone else.  

Don't waste your time applying here.  There is so much wrong within the jail division it isn't worth it..

I generally liked the people I worked with there. Most of the lower level supervisors were good. The benefits were good (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, FRS). Most of the negatives I experienced were HR/pay related. 

The biggest issue there is wage theft. You're required to be 15 min early unpaid (but it's mandatory), 'lunch breaks' you can't take (but supervisors insist you got them).  That 45 minutes every single day added up. You also work xx amount of overtime hours at regular rate before they pay 1.5x overtime. They have employees who have been with the agency for years making the same amount as new employees. It's unethical and shows they don't care to retain employees. 

You can work as much overtime as you want. Just remember, you have to work xx amount of hours at regular overtime rate before they'll pay you 1.5x. Also, if you use any PTO hours you have to make up all those hours before you're paid 1.5x for overtime. 

Just pay people fairly for the work they do. If you're required to report 15 min early you should be paid for it. If you have to eat lunch while working, include paid lunches as a benefit. But, they're cheap and will use any opportunity to save a buck. Even if it's taking from their employees and their families. 


I ended my career as a Patrol Deputy. In this area I drove my assigned area answering 911 calls and complaint calls from the public. I also conducted traffic stops. I collected evidence and took place in investigations.

I think the best thing I learned and used everyday, is there are two sides to every story, but you have to listen to hear them both. I have been trained in many physical areas and also the mental abilities to communicate effectively with all persons.

In law enforcement there is a chain of command and you should never question nor deviate from the chain of command. 

I enjoyed meeting and working with my co-workers. I have forged  friendships outside of work in which I still continue with these friendships.

The hardest part of my job was dealing with the families of persons who had just lost a family member. 

The most enjoyable part of my job was dealing with children. Somehow they make you smile and feel great.

I would recommend employment through the Polk County Sheriff's Office.  I learned valuable life lessons that I will carry with me throughout my employment years.  I met a lot of new and exciting people and utilized the skills that I obtained and will carry them with me in the future.  

The agency offered continuing education and allowed me to share what I learned with others.  I gained leadership skills and was allowed to Implement those skills in my supervision.  I feel that I have truly grown as a person and an employee and value all of the knowledge that I have gained.

I feel that I have strengthened my weak points as a result of my employment with the company. I've learned how to work well with others despite all of our differences. I learned how to become an exemplary example of having a great work ethic and showing the inmates how to become a professional and productive member of society.

A typical day at work consist of a 12 hr night shift. We receive several calls throughout the night whether it be life or death or non-emergency. We work with up to three computers at one time and send out law enforcement and fire/ ems when needed.

Management in my job is okay, needless to say the supervisor and managers are very busy just as a person on the phone or dispatching. You have to learn how to work together to be able to do your job.

I have learned to be able to multi task and listen to every detail of the call and be able to get along well with coworkers.

The hardest part of the job is dealing with a life or death situation call, this is the part of the job where it can become most stressful because you want to make sure the person on the other end of the line is okay.

The most enjoyable part o the job is knowing that you were able to help someone that really needed help.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Good people to work with. Training is kept up with. A family environment, glad to help you out.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Having on a bad pair of shoes. Not being able to provide the right kind of help to some of the people you are responsible for. Not knowing how to provide them with the right answers.


What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Mine was good got along with everyone  well from the kitchen staff to maintenance 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Go in at 7:00 serve breakfast then do pill call with medical, take ones that need it medical for treatment. Bring ones that are scheduled to see a public defender and mAbe to a bond hearing. Serve lunch, bring ones for a attorney visit you have a full day but is ok because of those you work with

Very bad work/life balance. Expect to work all the overtime possible when you're new until there's new people. You never know when you'll get overtime, unless you sign up for it. Management is terrible. Some of administration care about you, some don't. The most consistent thing about working at Polk county are the inconsistencies. This job has amazing benefits and pay, but be wary that it's for a reason. This place will cause a lot of mental stress, and not even from the inmates. Fellow coworkers and supervisors are more likely to give you a migraine. 

The Sheriff's Office is a good place to work if you are looking for a career in Law Enforcement or Management. With this employer I have learned valuable skills in customer service, time management, organization strategies, and staying dedicated. Personality types vary and occasionally the line level workers can find themselves with difficult management, however this can be true in any organization. The hardest part of the job is dealing with the stress that comes with a government position that is not typical to a private company. However, what I most enjoy about working at the Polk County Sheriff's Office is meeting new people in our customers and coworkers and being able to serve them each and every day.

It seemed as though the rules did not apply to everyone, exceptions to the rule were made for a select few.  I gained a lot of experience in many areas of accounting including AP, Payroll and inmate accounting.    I really enjoyed the people I worked with most of all.  I developed several long lasting, wonderful friendships with several people.  The most difficult part of the job was the not knowing about policy changes in a timely manner.  Communication was often lacking between supervisors and employees.  The thing I enjoyed the most was my interactions with the public.  I was able to be helpful and was able to make things a little easier for them to understand.

I made many friendships and learned much about law enforcement during my time at this agency. There are many outstanding deputies who work here and it was a pleasure to work alongside them. Unfortunately, the agency's culture is based solely on fear, meaning even if you do everything right down to Florida State Statute you will absolutely be disciplined, suspended or made an example out of if the right person isn't happy with your decision. You will be constantly looking over your shoulder, full of anxiety because most of the decisions made at this agency are political. I've seen too many good deputies leave because of poor leadership. The sheriff's office isn't what it used to be, and other agencies have better pay, benefits, equipment, uniforms, and morale. 

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Scheduler 3 salaries reported	$30.00 per hour
Staff attorney 2 salaries reported	$101,276 per year
Deputy sheriff 1 salary reported	$21.00 per hour
Crime analyst 2 salaries reported	$54,503 per year
Correctional officer 2 salaries reported	$47,500 per year

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