JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Five-thousand-dollar signing bonuses for new hires, additional compensation for training and education and even financial incentives for adopting children are all part of a police recruitment package nearing the finish line in the Florida Legislature.
The bill is aimed at helping law enforcement agencies recruit more officers, and until Wednesday, the bill focused primarily on new incentives to make the profession more attractive.
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But a new amendment tagged on in the Senate would allow sheriffs to spend their budget however they want.
The amendment allows for sheriffs to shift money around in their budgets without approval from county commissions.
Sponsor Sen. Ed Hooper, R-Palm Harbor, said the intent is to allow for more flexibility if shortfalls arise throughout the fiscal year.
“This amendment gives the sheriff the ability to move funds to respond to whatever issue is occurring in his or her county at the time,” said Hooper.
But State Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, expressed concerns.
He argued it would allow sheriffs to spend money however they want, with no accountability.
“They could buy ten squad cars instead of hiring ten officers, but they told us they were going to hire ten officers,” said Brandes.
Supporters argued accountability would come from voters.
“The voters can take them out any election cycle if they don’t agree with the way the sheriff is responding or handling his or her affairs,” said State Sen. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton.
The amendment was adopted, which means the bill will have to go back to the House before final passage.
Still missing is the Governor’s request for $1,000 bonuses for all law enforcement officers.
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President of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 530 Randy Reaves told us he hopes the bonuses make it into the final package, as they made a big impact last year.
“It’s not just the financial impact. I think even more so it was the impact that our officers felt like, hey the Governor, the State of Florida, our legislators have our back,” said Reaves.
And while bonuses for rank-and-file officers are still up in the air, all 67 Florida sheriffs will see their pay increase by $5,000 a year under the bill.
All 67 already pull in six-figure salaries.