DeSantis announces over 2,265 bonuses for law enforcement recruits in first year of program

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Florida has issued more than 2,265 bonuses in one year through the Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Program.

Each law enforcement officer received a $5,000 bonus after taxes, bringing the total amount awarded to more than $15 million through the program in fiscal year 2022-2023.

To date, 668 law enforcement recruits from 48 states and two U.S. territories have relocated to Florida.

230 of those moved from California, New York, and Pennsylvania, according to the governor’s office.

“Through the Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Program, we are ensuring that our law enforcement officers don’t have to think twice about the decision to support their families in a state that puts them first,” DeSantis said.

“Florida’s law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities, and I am proud that Florida’s reputation proceeds itself as 668 out-of-state law enforcement recruits have chosen to practice this noble profession in Florida,” DeSantis continued.

The program encourages Floridians to join the profession, and attracts out-of-state recruits or experienced officers to relocate to the state.

In addition to the 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 program, visit www.FloridaJobs.org/Recognition-and-Recruitment.