DeSantis Proposes Pay Increases For Law Enforcement, Bonuses For First Responders

November 30, 2021

Monday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced $400 million in new funding proposals to increase the salaries of Florida’s state law enforcement officers, correctional officers, and state special risk firefighters, and to provide $1,000 bonuses for first responders, including law enforcement officers, paramedics, EMTs, and firefighters across the state for the second year in a row.

He also announced $5,000 bonuses to recruit and retain both state and local level law enforcement.

DeSantis’ proposals will be considered during the 2022 Florida Legislative Session.

While other states have turned their backs on law enforcement, even calling to ‘defund the police,’ in Florida we continue to support the men and women in law enforcement,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “I am proud to propose larger and longer-lasting measures to help our state recruit and retain the best law enforcement officers in the nation and to provide $1,000 bonuses for first responders and law enforcement officers for the second year in a row.”

Pictured: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis outlines his proposal Monday at the Florida Highway Patrol Station in Orlando. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

13 Responses to “DeSantis Proposes Pay Increases For Law Enforcement, Bonuses For First Responders”

  1. William Lingo on December 2nd, 2021 1:21 pm

    @oneofthepeople
    You are wrong about this stuff being free, they have to pay up to $50 a day to be incarcerated. Inmates are also charged for toiletries and other items offered in the commissary.

  2. Oneofthepeople on December 2nd, 2021 1:30 am

    Well for those worried about where the money is coming from, you might want to consider how it may stop a lot of inmate malingering within the prisons of Florida. They cost you billions a year for committing felonies. They get free food water, power, cable tv, tablets, 5$ medical copays if any, free medications, free clothing, free shoes, free laundry service, toiletries provided free. When you could not buy toilet paper they still were given it for free. Maybe we should focus on encouraging people not to be criminals when we worry about where our taxes are going.

  3. John Andersen on December 1st, 2021 5:17 pm

    There’s a lot of people who stayed in place working to keep things moving for everyone, they never drew a dime of unemployment or used their medical benefits so maybe don’t forget about them

  4. Robyn ditommaso on December 1st, 2021 4:50 pm

    Glad DeSantis is giving money to the police and first responders. Some people will complain, but these people put their li es on the line and paid crap.

  5. Luis Santos on December 1st, 2021 7:50 am

    I’m all for raises and bonuses, but 400 million is a lot of money, where is it coming from? is our taxes being raised also? What service was cut to afford the increase in pay or is it money coming from the Biden infrastructure bill, like I said, I’m all for the increase but would like to know how it will be paid for.

  6. Christopher M Smith on December 1st, 2021 5:47 am

    He needs to help the people of Florida every time he speaks he’s only doing for the teachers and FIRST responders & not the rest of Florida he should take notes from other states that are actually helping the people of their state it seems like he’s one sided DESANTIS TAKE NOTE FROM OTHER STATES HELP YOUR PEOPLE OF FLORIDA BY GIVING THEM SOME HELP FROM THE MONEY THAT THE GOVERNMENT GAVE THE STATE OR DID YOU SPEND IT ON KIDS COLLEGE

  7. Rufus on November 30th, 2021 11:03 pm

    Your going to need it, since a certain government official is trying to make an amendment to Florida constitution to pay lower than minimum wage to new workers for the first 6 months of employment.

  8. William Lingo on November 30th, 2021 5:49 pm

    Thank you, to the best Governor to ever hold office in the U.S., a real Governor of the people, for the people. Keep at the good work. I hope to see you as President DeSantis, when you are done serving the people of Florida.

  9. Eleanor Houlette on November 30th, 2021 10:47 am

    Governor DeSantis, you are a great man. We wish you much god heatlth. Please remain strong. We admire and respect you.

  10. Gotta Love Him on November 30th, 2021 10:38 am

    I am so proud to live in Florida and to have a Governor that cares for his state and his country, and for the men and women that protect us in our great state. His efforts to maintain our strong economy while dealing with the pandemic have proven very effective. I hope he will run for another term as our Governor before looking to Washington (where I think he could be very effective as well). It would be a shame to see his progress degraded by a less effective or strong a person. God bless you Mr DeSantis and God Bless our Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders! You’ve got my vote in ‘22 and ‘24!

  11. Lifendason on November 30th, 2021 10:27 am

    Wonderful news. thank you Gov. DeSantis for not turning your back on those who put their life on the line every day.

    Now if we could only get the Government to pay the military more that would be awesome!

  12. John Rudd on November 30th, 2021 10:25 am

    This is worth its weight in gold.

    Now seasoned, highly trained and experienced officers from other police agencies (Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago) can escape their dire situation and move to paradise.

    The $5,000 can cover moving costs for an officers family and help them go from “wishing” – to making their wish come true.

    Governor DeSantis is amazing.

  13. Rasheed Jackson on November 30th, 2021 9:31 am

    I would love to see him in the oval office but would hate to lose the best governor Florida has ever had.
    And to think it was a close race between him and a crack head fool, for the governor.