ORLANDO, Fla. — Gov. Rick Scott announced Thursday a proposal to increase pay for troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol, which would mark the first pay bump for the agency since 2013.
Scott is proposing a 5 percent pay increase for troopers, who are some of the lowest-paid state law enforcement officers in the country.
The Florida Highway Patrol has seen many troopers leave the force for better paying jobs at other agencies, and Scott said he hoped an increase in pay would convince more to stay.
“We try to find the best people we can, and there are all types of jobs, and so now, what we try to do at the state is make sure we pay fairly for what the job entails,” he said.
Lt. Channing Taylor was shot the in the shoulder during a 2015 traffic stop in Brevard County.
He survived and is back on the road, and he said he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I enjoy my job, and I am living the dream. I have always wanted to do this, and I have been able to do this for 22 years,” said Taylor.
The reward for his sacrifice isn’t the money, he said it is putting offenders in jail.
“I hope it will have a significant impact,” Taylor.
Troopers make about $33,000 a year to start.
FHP lost four troopers to Orlando police, where salaries start at more than $40,000 a year for rookies.
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