Florida surpasses 6,400 bonuses for new police recruits

“Florida welcomes officers of law enforcement from all over the country, to a place where they are recognized and appreciated,” said Gov. Ron DeSantis said.

In November, Florida gave out 6,400 bonuses for new recruits to the law enforcement profession.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced that Florida will award 300 new bonuses to law enforcement officers in this month. This brings the total to 6,400 bonuses given to new recruits under the Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Program.

DeSantis stated that “Florida welcomes all law enforcement officers to the state, where they are recognized and appreciated.” “Florida celebrates law enforcement and encourages people join the force. “Law enforcement officers make huge personal sacrifices to serve their communities, and they deserve more support and higher pay.”

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Officers serving in counties affected by Hurricanes Debby and Helene received the latest 300 bonus.

DeSantis introduced the program in 2022, after blue states started implementing antipolice initiatives such as defunding of their police departments.

Florida’s recruitment bonuses program offers a $5,000 bonus to newly hired officers. More than $43.3million worth of bonuses has been distributed so far through the program.

More than 1,560 officers have moved to Florida from 49 states, two territories and other countries as a result of this program. According to the Governor’s Office, more than 470 of them came from “anti-police states” like California, Illinois and New York.

The 6,400th milestone represents a substantial increase over the 4,000th bonus that DeSantis presented in February to a Bay County Sherriff’s deputy from Virginia who moved to Florida to take part in the program.

The Center Square reported that Ashley Moody, the Attorney general of Florida, welcomed in July new police officers from Georgia, Illinois Maine, Massachusetts New Mexico, and New York.

Moody stated that Florida is the state with the most support for law enforcement in the country. “We have been promoting the many incentives for people to join us, and new recruits like those from Sarasota have responded. They are leaving places where they were not appreciated as much as here.

“This is a state of law and order.” Sarasota Police chief Rex Troche told Moody at the time that officers wanted to be able do their jobs. He noted that his office had greatly benefited from new recruits. There is no greater feeling than knowing that you will be supported by your colleagues in the enforcement of the law. When state attorneys don’t assist them, officers around the country become less motivated to do their job. The work of Attorney-General Moody and Governor. DeSantis knows that officers will be able and supported to do their job when they come to Florida.

DeSantis has claimed that communities across the country are suffering in jurisdictions with politicians who have embraced “soft on crime” policies like no cash bail and defunding of law enforcement. Florida’s legislature passed a law in 2020 that protected law enforcement from being defunded and allocated funding for $1,000 bonuses to law enforcement officers over three years. The recruitment program was launched in 2022. The program is funded every legislative session.

Moody launched several initiatives to support law enforcement, including the Thin Line Tribute Series and Sunshine Salute Series.

Law enforcement officers are eligible for the Hometown Heroes Housing Program. This program offers down payment and closing costs assistance to frontline workers from more than 100 professions to purchase a primary home in the community where they work.