Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Florida has awarded more than 9,400 hiring bonuses to newly hired law enforcement officers through the state’s Law Enforcement Officer Recruitment Bonus Payment Program. The latest awards went to police officers serving Florida’s Panhandle counties, including Bay, Franklin, Gulf and Walton counties, with an additional 734 awards distributed across the state.
Launched in 2022, the program provides newly hired executives with a one-time $5,000 (after-tax) bonus. The initiative aims to recognize new hires and advance Florida’s reputation as one of the most law enforcement-friendly states in the country.
“Today in Panama City, we welcomed new law enforcement officers from Bay County, Franklin County, Gulf Coast County and Walton County and awarded them a $5,000 hiring bonus,” Governor DeSantis said. “Many new police officers in the state have immigrated to Florida from crime-friendly jurisdictions, where prosecutors allow crime to flourish and local politicians vilify law enforcement. Here in Florida, law enforcement officers are supported and valued, and criminals are held accountable.”
Since the program’s inception, more than 1,900 police officers from 49 states and two U.S. territories have moved to Florida, including more than 600 from California, Illinois and New York. To date, the state has awarded more than $63 million in hiring bonuses.
This effort is part of a broader effort to make Florida one of the nation’s leading law-and-order states. In the fiscal year 2025-26 budget, the Governor secured $49 million in raises for more than 16,200 state sworn police officers, increased the minimum base salary to $60,000, and implemented significant raises for entry-level and veteran police officers.
Florida also expanded health and training resources, strengthened penalties for crimes against police officers, and launched a new high school education program to train future law enforcement professionals. The Florida Law Enforcement Academy Scholarship Program also covers additional training costs for recruits entering the field.
In addition to a $5,000 hiring bonus, officers hired in the State of Florida receive competitive salaries, generous health and retirement benefits, student loan forgiveness options, home loan programs, and other incentives designed to promote financial and career stability.
For more information about the Florida Law Enforcement Officer Recruitment Bonus Payment Program, please visit FloridaJobs.org/Recognition-and-Recruitment.
