New recruits and relocating veteran law enforcement personnel will get sign-on bonuses and other perks under a bill signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis on April 1. Under HB 3, new recruits to Florida law enforcement agencies will receive sign-on bonuses up to $5,000. The measure also offers to reimburse certified law enforcement officers who relocate to Florida up to $1,000 to cover equivalency training costs. The incentive also applies to members of the special operations forces who become full-time law enforcement officers in Florida.
Finally, trainees who are enrolled in a law enforcement officer basic recruit training program may receive up to $1,000 to cover eligible education expenses including tuition and fees. The measure also offers a scholarship for the dependent children of law enforcement officers to attend private schools, and provides a $10,000 benefit to officers to adopt a child through the state child welfare system, or a $25,000 benefit to those who adopt a child with special needs.
Florida Senate President Wilton Simpson (R-Trilby) said the new law was key to the future of Florida’s law enforcement agencies.
“With major pay increases for state law enforcement officers in our budget, along with the significant recruitment bonuses signed into law, we are making certain our law enforcement agencies have the tools they need to retain and recruit officers, Simpson said.
The law enforcement-related law becomes effective on July 1.
