First Responder Recognition and Law Enforcement Recruitment

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Florida Essential First Responder Recognition Payment Program

 

Florida Essential First Responder Recognition Payment Program


This year under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida passed a historic law and order budget and strong legislation demonstrating that our state stands with those who keep our communities safe.

Eligible first responders -- Sworn Law Enforcement, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT), Firefighters, and Paramedics – will receive recognition payments, up to $1,000 after taxes, to reward them for their dedicated public service through the Essential First Responders Recognition Program.

Who is Eligible


DEO adopted the eligibility criteria below outlined in Florida's FY 2022-23 budget and will provide these as guidelines to local government employers. Local government employers are responsible for identifying employees that meet these criteria and attesting to their eligibility. Eligibility criteria includes:

  • Employment Job Classes – The employee must be an essential first responder who is employed by a local government as a: Sworn Law Enforcement Officer, Emergency medical technician (EMT), Firefighter, or Paramedic.
  • Employment Period – The first responder must be employed by the local government as of May 1, 2022.
  • Bonuses are allocated based on the employees’ weekly hours:
    • Full Time Employment (FTE) Count 0.25 (the employee works at least 10 hours per week)
      $250 recognition payment, after taxes; $334.69 check total
    • FTE Count 0.50 (the employee works at least 20 hours per week)
      $500 recognition payment, after taxes; $669.38 check total
    • FTE Count 0.75 (the employee works at least 30 hours per week)
      $750 recognition payment, after taxes; $1,004.08 check total
    • FTE Count 1.00 (the employee works at least 40 hours per week)
      $1,000 recognition payment, after taxes; $1,338.77 check total

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Phone: 855-649-4600
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Email: RecognitionPayments@DEO.MyFlorida.com

 

Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Payment Program

 

Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Payment Program


Following the 2022 legislative session, Governor DeSantis signed House Bill 3, which includes the creation of the Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Payment Program.

The program aims to aid in the recruitment of law enforcement officers within the state and attract out-of-state officers to Florida.

The program administers one-time bonus payments of $5,000 after taxes to each eligible newly employed officer within the state.

Who is Eligible


Florida law enforcement agencies will work with DEO to determine eligible employees, distribute bonus payments, and provide any information or assistance needed to ensure eligibility. The minimum eligibility requirements a newly employed officer must meet to receive a bonus payment include:

  • A person who gains or is appointed to full-time employment as a certified law enforcement officer with a Florida criminal justice agency on or after July 1, 2022, and has never previously been employed as a law enforcement officer in the state.
  • Maintain continuous full-time employment with a Florida law enforcement agency for at least two consecutive years. The required two-year employment period at one or more Florida law enforcement agencies, but such a period must not contain any break longer than 15 calendar days.

This bonus payment is taxable income; therefore, each bonus payment made by DEO to newly employed officers will be in the gross amount of $6,694, which includes $1,694 for the payment of taxes. Further details about these taxes will be provided to newly employed officers when payments are distributed.


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Phone: 855-649-4600
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Email: RecruitmentBonus@DEO.MyFlorida.com

 

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