The Office of Strategic Planning works with the Sheriff and executive staff members to develop a strategic plan identifying long-range and short-term planning objectives by gathering annual statistics on law enforcement calls for service, crime rate, jail population, and county population. This information allows the agency to anticipate the needs of the county as it grows.

The Office of Strategic Planning promotes “safe growth” policies that are integrated with the County and regional growth management policies to ensure the safety and quality of life in Polk County is enhanced.

This unit is also responsible for the writing, budgeting, administration and management related to $10,000,000+ in grant awards from state, local, and federal sources. Projects funded by grant monies include: Sheriff’s Training and Respect Program, COPS deputies, Victims of Crimes Advocates, Methamphetamine Enforcement, Sexual Predator tracking, and the Sheriff’s News Network. The Office of Strategic Planning ensures compliance with all grant regulations and guidelines as required by the granting authority.

INTERESTING FACTS

Did you know?

• Since 2000, Polk County’s population has increased by more than 81,000 individuals.

• 2006 Polk County population: 565,049 (4.3% increase from 2005).
• Researchers estimate the county’s population may increase 6%, or 33,929 persons by 2010.
• From 2010 to 2015, the county’s population is estimated to be 651,241, which represents an 8.7% growth rate.

In 2006, the Office of Strategic Planning secured the following grants:

• DOJ-COPS Methamphetamine Enforcement Initiative $235,907
• BJA Justice Assistance Grant $92,433
• Florida Department of Children and Families Sexual Predator Tracking $137,977
• Florida Office of the Attorney General Victims of Crime Act (FLA-OAG-VOCA) $143,860
• Identity Theft, Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) $45,444
• Florida Department of Transportation (FLA-DOT), for Aggressive Driving and Speeding Enforcement $35,995
• FLA-DOT- Traffic Crash Analysis $34,710
• FDLE Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (for male inmates at the PCSO South County Jail) $50,00

In 2006, the Office of Strategic Planning accomplished the following:

• Secured four acres of land for a Northridge Command Center
• Partnered with PolkVision to implement several best practices in efficiency and technology
• Partnered with myregion.org in examining the needs and desires of the community
• In 2006, the Office of Strategic Planning participated in the Polk County Development Review Committee, & processed 428 Development Review Applications.