Trending
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced that the state has awarded more than 7,800 recruitment bonuses to new law enforcement officers through the Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Payment Program. The latest round of bonuses went to officers serving in Marion County, while an additional 660 bonuses have recently been distributed to recruits across the state.
Launched in 2022, this first-of-its-kind initiative underscores Florida's nation-leading commitment to supporting law enforcement. The program provides a one-time $5,000 bonus--after taxes--to newly employed officers as a show of appreciation and incentive for choosing to serve in Florida.
"When other states were defunding their police, demonizing law enforcement, and kneecapping their criminal justice system, we rewarded our law enforcement for their service," DeSantis said. "I was proud to be in Marion County to award recruitment bonus checks to Florida's newest law enforcement officers and thank them for their commitment to protecting our communities."
To date, more than 1,700 law enforcement officers from 49 other states and two territories have relocated to Florida.
More than 7,800 recruited officers received a $5,000 bonus after taxes, with the program distributing more than $53 million to date.
"Under Gov. DeSantis' leadership, Florida has led the nation in recruiting law enforcement officials and implementing strong immigration policies," said Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. "We remain committed to strengthening the resources available to law enforcement and helping in their mission to set the standard for combating illegal immigration."
In addition to a $5,000 recruitment bonus, benefits of becoming a Florida law enforcement officer include financial stability, upward mobility, excellent health and retirement benefits, student loan forgiveness programs, home loan programs, and more.
For more information about the Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Payment, visit FloridaJobs.org/Recognition-and-Recruitment.