Florida has reached a milestone in supporting its law enforcement recruitment efforts, awarding bonuses to over 6,400 new officers through the Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Payment Program. Governor Ron DeSantis announced the milestone, emphasizing the state’s commitment to backing law enforcement professionals.
“Florida welcomes law enforcement officers from across the country to a state where they will be recognized and appreciated,” DeSantis stated. The program, launched in 2022, provides new recruits with a $5,000 bonus after taxes, a key part of the state’s strategy to attract officers from across the nation.
This month, 300 new bonuses were awarded to officers, including those serving in counties impacted by hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton. To date, the program has distributed over $43.3 million in bonuses. More than 1,560 officers have relocated to Florida under the program, including over 470 from states like California, Illinois, and New York, where anti-police policies have been implemented.
In February, DeSantis presented the 4,000th bonus to a Bay County Sheriff’s deputy who relocated from Virginia. By July, Attorney General Ashley Moody welcomed officers relocating from states like Georgia, Maine, and New York, as Florida continued to position itself as the “most pro-law enforcement state in the nation.”
Moody praised the program, saying, “We’ve been spreading the word about all the great incentives to join our ranks, and individuals like the new Sarasota recruits have answered the call – leaving behind places where their service was not as appreciated as it is here.”
The recruitment bonus is part of a broader law-and-order agenda spearheaded by DeSantis. Florida lawmakers have implemented measures such as prohibiting the defunding of law enforcement and allocating $1,000 bonuses for officers annually over the past three years.
Additional initiatives, such as the Hometown Heroes Housing Program, provide financial assistance for law enforcement officers and other frontline workers to purchase homes in the communities they serve. Attorney General Moody has also launched initiatives like the Thin Line Tribute and Sunshine Salute Series to recognize law enforcement professionals statewide.
DeSantis contrasted Florida’s policies with jurisdictions where “soft on crime” approaches and defunding measures have created challenges for communities. “Officers want to be able to do their job,” Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche stated, praising Florida’s supportive environment. “There is no better feeling than when you know that you can go out there and be supported in enforcing the law.”
The recruitment bonus program has proven to be a significant tool in attracting officers to Florida, solidifying the state’s reputation as a stronghold for law enforcement support.
