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News Releases and Public Information
Welcome to the Polk County Sheriff's Office News Room, where the Public Information Officers (PIO's) post all of the information that they release to the news media. PIO's act as liaisons between news media organizations and the Sheriff's Office. The PIO's routinely release timely and accurate information and Crime Stoppers bulletins, and respond to routine and "breaking news" media inquiries. News releases and Crime Stoppers information can be found on this page.
PCSO's full-time Public Information Officers are Brian Bruchey, Carrie Horstman, and Alicia Manautou. The Public Information Officers can be reached by sending an e-mail collectively at PIOs@polksheriff.org.
The recent news releases sent out by the PIOs can be found here, and archived releases (older than 2017) can be found here.
Mar 4, 2022
Davenport man arrested after pointing a laser-light at a PCSO helicopter
Media Contact: Alicia Manautou, PIO
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested 52-year-old Douglas Norris of Davenport after
he aimed a laser-light at a PCSO helicopter that was flying overhead, which is a third-degree felony.
On Thursday, March 3, 2022 at about 10:00 p.m., the helicopter was flying over Davenport assisting patrol units on the ground with aerial surveillance when the two pilots observed an adult male in the area of Burford Circle pointing a laser-light at the chopper three times.
The pilots relayed a description and location to patrol units on the ground. Deputies located Norris at 302 Burford Circle. Norris admitted he pointed the laser-light at the helicopter and that he knew it was against the law.
“Aiming lasers at an aircraft is dangerous because the light becomes magnified when the pilot is wearing night vision assistance. This reckless act could cause a crash, endangering the lives of those in the aircraft as well as those on the ground. Thankfully, in this instance, no one was injured.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Norris was arrested and charged with Unlawful Use of a Laser Light Device (F3). He was released after paying a $1000 bond.