The Polk County Sheriff's Office is welcoming a new face to their team with the addition of Juliana Rivera as their Public Information Officer, a recent development aimed at reinforcing the ties between the law enforcement agency and the community it serves. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office news release, Rivera's primary focus is on maintaining clear and honest channels of communication between the Sheriff's office and the populace of Polk County. Having honed her expertise at the University of South Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in Integrated Public Relations and Advertising, she is well-equipped to handle the evolving nature of communication in today's digital age.
Fluent in English and Spanish, Rivera's proficiency in two languages speaks to a dedication to engage with a diverse community. Born and raised in Lakeland, her experiences working part-time at Publix and in the hospitality sector of the restaurant industry have ingrained in her a strong work ethic. Her previous work experience, consisting of part-time positions at Publix and in hospitality, the sheriff’s office perceives this as an indication of her ability to relate to the local community and their needs.
Sheriff Grady Judd was quoted in the Polk County Sheriff’s Office publication, detailing Rivera's attributes: "Juliana comes to us with an impressive resume and a reputation as a very hard worker. She has already proven her commitment to excellent customer service and enhancing our communications strategies. We’re very excited to have her on board!" Rivera's own remarks reveal a deep-rooted commitment to her new role, "I am honored to begin working with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office," she shared. "My goal is to ensure that the public has access to accurate, timely information and feels a true connection to the agency. Open communication builds trust, and I am excited to play a role in making that happen."
This new addition to the Sheriff’s team underscores a move toward embracing modern technological tools to foster civic engagement – a move signaling the times. As Polk County moves forward under Rivera's communicative guidance, her own experiences in the workplace at organizations like Publix and restaurants speak to a familiarity with the pulse of the people, their concerns, and the kind of dialogue they deem necessary for fostering trust in law enforcement.
