Police & Fire Protection
The County’s 911 system answers all emergency phone calls from its centers throughout Polk County and immediately forwards the calls to the appropriate agency.
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Chief Stephen Walker
Before joining the Bartow Police Department in 2022 as the Law Enforcement Division Commander, DC Walker served for 30 years with the Lakeland Police Department. He retired as a Captain in charge of Lakeland’s Special Operations Division in 2020. Prior to that, he served as an Emergency Medical Technician with Polk County EMS for five years.
DC Walker has a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Troy University, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology from Saint Leo University, and is a Certified Public Manager. Additionally, he is a graduate of the 124th Session of the Southern Police Institute at the University of Louisville and the 56th Session of the Senior Management Institute for Police. DC Walker also is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Florida Executive Development Seminar.
The Bartow Police Department will provide a professional service in an effort to prevent crime, reduce fear, and enforce the law.
To provide a peaceful and safe community where citizens and visitors experience hometown values as well as a superior quality of life .
To meet the needs of the citizens of Bartow in a compassionate and efficient manner.
To provide law enforcement services through education and enforcement in a manner consistent with our goals and objectives, emphasizing strong ethical and moral values.
To provide continuous, loyal, and unwavering allegiance to its citizens.
The mission of the City of Bartow Fire Department is to protect life and property, through education and awareness as well as caring and efficient response with the highest quality service possible.
Jay Robinson, Fire Chief – Serving Since 1989
Byron Moore, Deputy Chief {Prevention} – Serving Since 1996
James Schaill, Deputy Chief – Serving Since 1998
Shift 1 |
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Lieutenant/EMT |
Jeff Burnet |
Serving since 2005 |
O.I.C. Fire Driver/EMT |
Kenny Miles |
Serving since 2002 |
Fire Driver/EMT |
Casandra Looney |
Serving since 2017 |
Fire Driver/EMT |
Ralph Meeks |
Serving since 2018 |
Fire Driver/EMT |
Hunter Orcasitas |
Serving since 2019 |
Fire Driver/EMT |
Aidan Parrow |
Serving since 2023 |
Shift 2 |
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Lieutenant/EMT |
Matt Murphy |
Serving Since 2010 |
O.I.C. Fire Driver/EMT |
Shane Evans |
Serving since 2017 |
Fire Driver/EMT |
Justin Jones |
Serving since 2004 |
Fire Driver/EMT |
Brandon Peeler |
Serving since 2018 |
Fire Driver/EMT |
Jared Brunson |
Serving since 2023 |
Fire Driver/EMT |
Trevor Moyer |
Serving since 2023 |
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Shift 3 |
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Lieutenant/EMT |
Dillon Swager |
Serving since 2012 |
O.I.C. Fire Driver/EMT |
Ben Frankenburger |
Serving since 2002 |
Fire Driver/EMT |
Morgan Clyatt | Serving Since 2016 |
Fire Driver/EMT |
Trent New |
Serving since 2016 |
Fire Driver/EMT |
Daulton Drinkwater |
Serving since 2023 |
Fire Driver/EMT |
Blake Walden |
Serving since 2024 |
On July 1, 1882, when the citizens saw a need for better legal protection, C.C. Gresham was elected the first town Marshal and the town of Bartow was incorporated. The Bartow Police Department has evolved over 130 years from a one man, 15-hour-a-day department into a modern agency with a staff of 41 sworn and 23 non-sworn personnel who provide Law Enforcement services to the citizens of Bartow.
The Bartow Fire Department consists of 21 personnel who have received extensive firefighting, rescue and emergency medical training. The fire department is responsible for 90 sq. miles. Response time within the city is five minutes, nine minutes outside the city. The Department also works with the County’s Fire Services answering fire rescue calls in the unincorporated areas of the County.