Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd is never at a loss for words or opinions on criminal behavior. He has recently played a major role in the response to the school shooting in Parkland.
This week on Florida Matters, we talk with Sheriff Judd as part of our ongoing “Newsmaker” series.
Judd has been Sheriff of Polk County since 2004. He is the President of Major County Sheriffs of America and former president of the Florida Sheriffs Association.
During our conversation with him at his office in Winter Haven, we discussed a variety of issues including:
- Programs run by the Sheriff’s Office that train and arm school staff members to fend off active shooters
- A program the department is preparing to launch that offers special services to inmates with severe mental health issues
- The Sheriff’s stance on legalized marijuana
- The Sheriff’s concerns about the state’s juvenile justice system
You can share your thoughts about what Sheriff Judd had to say by commenting on our Facebook page, tweeting @FloridaMatters or emailing FloridaMatters@wusf.org.
Hear an extended conversation with the Sheriff on issues like how to recruit and retain law enforcement amid a recent string of attacks on police officers in the state on our podcast Florida Matters More.
