Lakeland Police Department

LAKELAND, FL (April 25, 2025) – On April 24, 2025, at 9:31 p.m. the Lakeland Police Department responded to reports of a shooting at the Cali Rose 15 Kitchen (formerly known as Rush Hour Bar & Grill), located at 1323 Ariana Street. Upon arriving, officers learned two persons, Jesse Banks (age 28 of Lakeland) and Nicholas Lue (age 26 of West Palm Beach), had sustained gunsho ...

Lakeland, FL – (April 23, 2025) – The Lakeland Police Department is proud to participate in the Special Olympics Torch Run on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Law Enforcement representatives from across Polk County will run alongside Special Olympics Athletes through the downtown Lakeland area.    The course will start at the Lakeland Police Department, travel through t ...

FATAL CRASH INVESTIGATION    LAKELAND, FL (April 4, 2025) - On Friday, April 4, 2025, at approximately 12:56 a.m., officers responded to a traffic crash near the 1200 block of U.S. 98 North. Just prior to the crash, a 2010 red Toyota sedan was traveling southbound on U.S. Highway 98 North in the 1200 block. A 2001 black Honda motorcycle was also traveling southbound on U.S. H ...

*****UPDATE*****   LAKELAND, FL (March 24, 2025) - On Thursday, March 20, 2025, a deceased male was located in a rural area of unincorporated Polk County, just east of where Mr. Keen's vehicle was found in the 2800 block of County Line Road in Plant City. The male was in a state of decomposition; however, no trauma or injuries were observed. On March 24, 2025, the decedent wa ...

FATAL SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH    LAKELAND, FL (March 13, 2025) - On Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at approximately 10:35 p.m., officers responded to a crash involving a black Lexus sedan in the 3400 block of East Lake Parker Drive. Based on evidence gathered at the scene, prior to the crash, the Lexus was traveling southbound on East Lake Parker Drive and for unknown reasons travel ...

*****UPDATE***** Around 10:45 p.m. Julius Cabbagestalk was located safe!  Thank you to everyone who assisted in getting his information out and was looking for him!   ***ORIGINAL POST*** LAKELAND, FL (March 13, 2025) - The Lakeand Police Department has received a report of a missing child, 10-year-old Julius Cabbagestalk.  Julius was last seen near his home in the 1800 bloc ...

LAKELAND, FL (March 8, 2025) - The Lakeland Police Department will host a career fair for those interested in an exciting and purpose-driven career in either law enforcement or a civilian career as a Public Safety Aide or in our 911 Emergency Communications Center. The event will take place Tuesday, March 11, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room at the Lak ...

    Lakeland, FL – (March 6, 2025) – The Lakeland Police Department will begin accepting applications for the position of Police Officer starting Monday, March 10, 2025. This recruitment drive is open to candidates who possess the necessary Florida Law Enforcement Officer certification and aims to fill positions with dedicated indiv ...

LAKELAND, FL (February 24, 2025) - On February 24, 2025, Officer Huascar Evangelista Vargas resigned from his position after being arrested for a retail petit theft which occurred on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. Had Vargas not resigned, he would have been terminated. On February 19, 2025, shortly before 6:00 p.m., the Winter Haven Police Department was called to a shoplifting ...

(LAKELAND, FL) February 20, 2025 - The Lakeland Police Department is now accepting applications for the 2025 Citizens Police Academy. Classes meet every Thursday night from 6:30PM - 9:30PM for twelve (13) weeks with 15 classes, beginning on August 7, 2025, and concluding October 30, 2025. The deadline to apply is July 18, 2025.   Apply here: https://www.lakelandgov.net/depa ...