Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is proposing salary increases for law enforcement officers statewide and bonuses for first responders as he intensifies efforts to recruit dissatisfied police officers from other states.
The Republican governor announced the pay increases while speaking Monday at the Florida Highway Patrol Troop D headquarters in Orlando.
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis arrives to announce a proposed salary increase for state law enforcement agencies to encourage more officers to relocate to Florida, during a press conference at Florida Highway Patrol headquarters Troop D in Orlando, Florida, on Monday. (Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel via AP)
“While other states have turned their backs on law enforcement, including calling for ‘defunding the police,’ in Florida we continue to support men and women in law enforcement,” he said in a statement.
The proposal includes $ 73 million to increase the starting salary for entry-level state law enforcement officers by 20% and the salaries of veteran officers by 25%. Another $ 135 million would be used to increase pay for state correctional officers and Juvenile Justice Department officials. Special hazard firefighters would see a salary increase of up to $ 2,500 each.
Under the proposal, all recruits new to law enforcement would receive a $ 5,000 signing bonus, as well as a $ 1,000 bonus for first responders, which includes firefighters, paramedics, EMTs and law enforcement officers. To attract officers from out of state, the officer certification exam would be offered free of charge.
The plan would also cover up to $ 1,000 for any necessary training programs for police officers relocating out of state and a law enforcement academy scholarship program would be created to cover the cost of registration for those seeking to serve. to their communities through police work.
Governor Ron DeSantis arrives to announce a proposal for an increase in pay for state law enforcement agencies to encourage more officers to relocate to Florida, during a press conference. (Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel via AP)
The push for new funding comes as DeSantis continues to aggressively recruit police officers from other states where police budgets have been slashed and leaders have issued vaccine mandates.
The minimum wage for new Florida Highway Patrol soldiers starts at just under $ 42,000 a year, though it could be increased depending on where in the state the officer is assigned. For example, those who work in Dade County, home to Miami, earn a minimum of just under $ 47,000, according to the Highway Patrol website.
“Recruiting and retaining highly qualified law enforcement officers dedicated to public services is crucial, now more than ever,” said Terry Rhodes, executive director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. «The Governor’s landmark payment proposal makes clear that Florida cares and recognizes the sacrifices law enforcement officers and their families make, often in the most challenging circumstances. “
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In total, DeSantis is proposing $ 400 million in new funding. Lawmakers will consider the plan during the 2022 legislative session, which begins on January 11.
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