Florida awards $5,000 bonuses to 1,500 new law enforcement officers

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Tuesday that 1,500 newly hired law enforcement officers across Florida will receive $5,000 recruitment bonuses this week, including 38 new officers in Pasco County.DeSantis presented checks at the Pasco Sheriff’s Office Training Facility, saying the latest round of payments totals more than $10 million statewide. Florida’s Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Payment Program provides eligible newly employed officers with a one-time $5,000 payment after taxes.The program began in 2022 and has awarded nearly 12,500 bonuses totaling more than $83 million, according to the governor’s office. It was created to help agencies recruit new officers and attract qualified law enforcement personnel to Florida.Governor DeSantis Awards Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonuses in Pasco County https://t.co/86djs1j76G Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) September 15, 2026 The state’s 2026-27 budget includes $20 million to continue the recruitment-bonus program, along with additional fu