Governor Ron DeSantis Awards Bonuses to Law Enforcement Recruits, Reaching 8,700 Total
TAMPA, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Florida has awarded more than 8,700 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 Hillsborough County, with an additional 715 bonuses 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.
“In Tampa this morning, I had the honor of hand-delivering $5,000 recruitment bonuses to 40 new Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies and thanking them for all they do to serve their communities,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “We continue our mission to give our law enforcement officers everything they need to keep our communities safe, such as recruitment bonuses, pay raises, resources to promote physical and mental wellbeing, and tough-on-crime policies that allow officers to do their jobs without fear of political retaliation.”
“I’m incredibly honored to help lead the great state of Florida alongside Governor DeSantis—where we proudly stand behind our law enforcement officers," said Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins. "We continue taking decisive steps not only to protect their safety but also enhance the quality of their livelihoods.”
To date, more than 1,900 law enforcement officers from 49 other states and two territories have relocated to Florida, with more than 500 coming from anti-police states like California, Illinois, and New York. Each of the 8,700 newly recruited officers has received a $5,000 bonus after taxes, with the program distributing more than $58 million to date.
The bonuses are part of a broader initiative to make Florida the most law-and-order state in the nation. Under the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget, the Governor secured $49 million in pay increases for more than 16,200 state sworn law enforcement officers, raised the minimum base pay to $60,000, and provided significant raises for both entry-level and veteran officers. The state has also expanded wellness resources, enhanced penalties for crimes against officers, introduced law enforcement education programs in high schools, and launched the Florida Law Enforcement Academy Scholarship Program to cover training costs for new recruits.
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.