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DeSantis proposes $5K signing bonuses for new Florida law enforcement hires

LAKELAND, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a proposal for Florida to offer $5,000 signing bonuses for new law enforcement hires across the state during a news conference in Lakeland on Tuesday.

DeSantis said the state wants to prove that it is supportive of those in uniform.

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He said the signing bonus would apply to new officers just starting out and to those who move from out of state to take positions in Florida.

State Attorney Ashley Moody said the state is working on coming up with creative ways to fill law enforcement vacancies.

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“Florida is now the most pro law enforcement state in the nation,” Moody said.

Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson, WFTV.com

Sarah Wilson joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2018 as a digital producer after working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for nearly a decade in various communities across Central Florida.