Media

About the Public Information Unit
The Public Information Unit is responsible for highlighting agency initiatives and accomplishments, delivering safety information to the public, and responding to requests from the media. Team members in the Unit prepare news releases, author web content, manage the agency’s social media sites, write speeches, and develop brochures, reports and other publications. Public Information Officers (PIOs) assigned to the Unit serve as spokespersons for the Sheriff and represent the agency to the media and the public. PIOs also respond to the scene of major incidents to facilitate the release of information to the press.

Contacts
Public Information Officer Bob Kealing
bkealing@seminolesheriff.org
(407) 665-6950

Public Information Manager Kim Cannaday
kcannaday@seminolesheriff.org
(407) 665-6978

After Hours and Holidays
Watch Commanders are available to provide general assistance to the media on nights and weekends and can be reached by calling (407) 665-6650 and asking the dispatcher to send a message to the Watch Commander’s laptop computer. Please include your name, phone number, affiliate and a brief description of the information that you are requesting. Spokespersons in the Public Information Unit stay available on a rotating basis to respond to significant and breaking news stories.

Press Releases
All Sheriff’s Office press releases can be found by clicking here.
Sign up to receive press releases by clicking here.

Jail Information
Information and booking photos for inmates currently incarcerated at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility can be found by clicking here. You must have an inmate’s name or date of birth to locate their information. Booking photos for inmates no longer in the facility may be requested by contacting the Public Information Unit.

The SCSO produces a daily booking report each weekday which contains information on persons booked into the John E. Polk Correctional Facility since midnight on the preceding business day. The daily booking report is uploaded to our website each weekday at approximately 8 a.m. Monday’s daily booking report will contain arrest information from the weekend. To access this report, click here.

To request an interview with an inmate, complete and submit the form found here. The form is routed to the Correctional Facility and the reporter’s contact information (as provided in the form) is given to the inmate. Inmates have access to telephones and may contact the requesting reporter directly should they opt to participate in an interview.

Inmate first appearance hearings are held at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility at 1:30 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. on weekends. Only one video and one still camera will be permitted in the first appearance area and they must agree to provide copies of the video/photos to other news organizations. All other cameras must remain outside or in the lobby. Cell phones are not permitted in the facility.

Reports & Arrest Information
The SCSO produces a daily report each weekday which contains information on persons arrested and booked into the John E. Polk Correctional Facility from the previous day and overnight. This report is uploaded to our website each weekday at approximately 8 a.m. and includes information on an individual's charges as well as the arresting agency. Monday’s report will contain arrest information from the weekend. To access this report, click here. If you would like to see SCSO's crime map for your area, please visit this page to view the report, updated monthly.

The Public Information Unit can only provide arrest reports for individuals arrested by the Sheriff’s Office. The SCSO maintains jurisdiction throughout the non-incorporated areas of Seminole County. There are seven city police departments in our county: Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Lake Mary, Longwood, Oviedo, Sanford, and Winter Springs. The Sheriff's Office is not permitted to release reports or speak on behalf of these municipal agencies.