This week, the state of Florida has seen massive gains among the state's law enforcement community as a result from Gov. Ron DeSantis' (R-FL) leadership. Today First Lady Casey DeSantis tweeted about the progress that has added 1,000 Florida law enforcement officers since July of last year.
First Lady DeSantis has frequently called Florida, "The law and order state."
Last year, Governor DeSantis signed HB 3, which included $20 million for the Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Payment Program. Since then, the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has worked diligently with local law enforcement agencies to administer the program and distribute the bonus payments to officers who have recently joined the law enforcement profession in Florida.
Florida's moves in supporting law enforcement has attracted officers from around the country, especially those in rather "blue states."
Of the 1,000 officers who joined the force since July of 2022, 103 are transfers from New York, and 20 are from California.
Besides acknowledging the new law enforcement additions, First Lady DeSantis also made mention of the bonuses each officer got.
"[Governor DeSantis] and I are thrilled to announce more than 1,000 new law enforcement officers have joined Florida’s ranks since July 2022 & each has received a $5,000 bonus. We couldn’t be more thankful for our brave law enforcement who keep our communities safe," Mrs. DeSantis stated.
.@GovRonDeSantis and I are thrilled to announce more than 1,000 new law enforcement officers have joined Florida’s ranks since July 2022 & each has received a $5,000 bonus.
We couldn’t be more thankful for our brave law enforcement who keep our communities safe!
— Casey DeSantis (@CaseyDeSantis) January 13, 2023
This is not the first time Florida has seen the governor act for first responders. In May of 2022, Governor DeSantis approved $1,000 bonuses for all first responders in the state of Florida, which included law enforcement officers, EMTs and paramedics.
