Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office is launching a law enforcement recruitment initiative across the state via a new job website.
The website, BeAFloridaHero.com, encourages job seekers to “be a Florida hero,” and collects law enforcement career opportunities from across the state to offer to potential candidates and job seekers.
“Here in Florida, we support law enforcement and we’re not afraid to say it,” Moody says in an advertisement on the website.
The recruitment effort comes after police departments face nationwide staffing shortages.
For instance, a National Police Foundation found that police departments were already on the decline for the past five years, but were pushed to the brink after COVID-19, budget cuts and low morale took a toll. The study found that 86% of law enforcement departments were experiencing shortages in 2020.
Moody’s recruitment initiative makes sure Florida stays proactive in attracting new blood.
“Florida is the most pro-law enforcement state in the nation. We want officers from areas that don’t value their service to know that here in the Sunshine State, we back our blue,” Moody said in a news release. “Florida enjoys a long tradition of supporting law enforcement, and we have leadership that understands and appreciates what it takes to protect and serve.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis also announced proposals earlier this year intended to incentivize job seekers to find police work in Florida.
At the 2021 Biennial National Conference & Expo hosted by the National Fraternal Order of Police, Governor Ron DeSantis announced three policy proposals for the upcoming Legislative Session, including a $5,000 signing bonus for new officers, an academy scholarship program, and out-of-state relocation financial support.
“As so many cities and states choose to disrespect, degrade and defund the honorable work of law enforcement, we want Florida to continue valuing our men and women of law enforcement today, tomorrow and for generations to come,” DeSantis said at the conference. “That’s why today, I am proud to announce new initiatives to recruit and reward brave, high quality law enforcement officers in Florida that I will be including in my legislative priorities for our upcoming legislative session, including $5,000 signing bonuses.”
The Florida governor has consistently backed the blue as states across the country have defunded or attacked their police departments. Notably, DeSantis passed an anti-riot and pro-law enforcement bill increasing the penalties for rioting, looting, or harming law enforcement members during protests.
The new website features an interactive map of the Sunshine State where users can click on different areas to see where the job openings are located. The website also provides detailed descriptions of each branch of law enforcement in Florida, as well as contact information for job seekers.
