One-on-one with social media sensation Sheriff Grady Judd
Original reporting by Emma Brisk
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd has gone viral several times over the last few years for his outspoken press conferences and now, morning briefings on social media.
Whether he is showing off chains, taken from a drug bust, or coming up with silly nicknames, the 50-year law enforcement veteran has no problem embarrassing criminals.
But why does he do it?
“Because what we’re doing is we’re educating, we’re teaching, and we’re also sending a message to the crooks. I can’t tell you how often people are arrested in other counties – and they go, ‘Well, why are you arrested here?’ And they say, ‘That Grady Judd will put you in jail in Polk County,” said Sheriff Judd.
With over three million followers across social media platforms, Sheriff Judd knows how to keep locals engaged with the crime in their community.
“We love social media because we get to give the breaking news and direct, and it doesn’t cost the taxpayers a penny.”
Sheriff Judd has become a household name across the nation. This may come with a lot of pushback for his remarks, but he likes to look at it in a different way.
“I don’t get a lot of pressure. And it is really exciting to me when national comedians want to use my work on their programs…. you could donate to our charities for that stuff I just gave you.”
Any pushback he gets doesn’t stop him from having fun with his briefings.
“I had a mama call me once and said oh you, and I’ll quit using his picture.”
His main goal is to build a strong relationship between law enforcement and the community.
“If you commit a crime, there’s a good chance I’m going to hold your picture up and remind the community that if you’re out of jail, you may very well be stealing from these folks, look out for them.”
Judd said his unique approach is paying off as crime in Polk County is at a 54-year low.
“My goodness everyone is getting the message and if they don’t get the message, they get arrested.”
You can follow Sheriff Judd’s morning briefs on the Polk County Sheriff Department’s social media pages.
Credits
Anchor: Emma Brisk
Teleprompter: Joana Riva
Producer: Zach Sherman
CG: Hannah Lau Gleciano
Floor Director: Grace Sherman
Tech Director: Zoe Sax
Editor: Gio Chitto
Web: Maya Gluck
Social Media: Catarina Rocha Tapias
Social Reporter: Ayla Yebba
Audio: Lydia Diehm
Camera: Zoe Patrick
Clock: Julia Soukar
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Stephanie Elder
Graduate Assistant: Grace Ficara