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Governor DeSantis acknowledges Florida law enforcement is in need of a pay raise, but lawmakers have yet to act on the issue.
"We support the men and women who keep our streets and communities safe,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Throughout my time in office, I have delivered on my promise to support law enforcement and first responders. Therefore, in the coming fiscal year, I am recommending a well-earned pay raise.”
Attorney Paul Novack is a member of the Floriday Highway Patrol Advisory council and says there are more than a 7-million registered vehicles in Florida and only 1800 FHP troopers on the road.
Novack says Gov. DeSantis has proposed pay raises and hiring incentives for law enforcement in the past, but they never materialized. "They are just a suggestion," he says.
Novack adds that, "In addition to highway law enforcement, Florida Troopers are now routinely dispatched to duty at Spring Break locations, Houses of Worship, and to assist federal and local agencies. Troopers have spent two years and thousands of working hours in Texas, for political reasons. Troopers continue to be assigned to monitor potential migrant landing areas in Florida. The newly enacted immigration duties for all Troopers had many press releases and photo ops but still had absolutely no new funding or personnel."
After a period without any approved pay raises, Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) officers recently received starting pay increases to $50,000 and $55,000 in select counties. And lawmakers have now given officers about a 4% cost of living raise annually.
Novack points out that Florida Troopers’ level of compensation ranks 47th of the 50 states and Florida has the highest cost of living but gives FHP the lowest in compensation.
He says, "Troopers are paid significantly lower than most sheriff's deputies and police officers in Florida. In many cases there is a $25,000 salary gap."
The legislature adjourns on May 2nd.