Ron DeSantis handed out $5,000 checks that had New York cops racing to the Florida border

The Democrat-run cities across America have declared war on their own police departments.

Cops are fleeing these hellholes in record numbers.

And Ron DeSantis just handed out $5,000 checks that had New York cops racing to the Florida border.

DeSantis puts his money where his mouth is with law enforcement

While Democrat mayors and prosecutors in cities like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles treat police officers like criminals, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is rolling out the red carpet for law enforcement.

DeSantis showed up in Tampa Wednesday morning with something that would make any cop’s day – fat bonus checks worth $5,000 each.

The Governor personally delivered 40 of these bonuses to new Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputies while announcing that another 715 bonuses were being mailed out to recruits across Florida.¹

“These are bonuses of $5,000 to any LEO recruit—whether you’re someone that’s young in Florida or new to the profession from within our state, or if you’re experienced and you’re transferring out of state from Chicago or New York City or Atlanta or wherever—you get a $5,000 bonus as well,” DeSantis explained.

https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1955708762355843099

This wasn’t some one-off publicity stunt.

Since launching this recruitment program in 2022, DeSantis has now handed out bonuses to more than 8,700 new law enforcement officers statewide.

The program has distributed over $58 million in bonuses so far.

Cops are fleeing the anti-police states

The numbers tell the real story about what’s happening in America’s law enforcement.

More than 1,900 officers have relocated to Florida from 49 other states and two U.S. territories, with over 500 coming specifically from the anti-police strongholds of New York, California, and Illinois.²

Think about that for a moment.

Over 500 experienced cops have looked at the toxic environment in these Democrat-controlled states and said “enough is enough.”

They’re packing up their families and moving to Florida where they can actually do their jobs without politicians treating them like the enemy.

DeSantis said a Southern California police chief told him that all of his officers want to move to Florida now “because of what you guys are doing.”

That’s not surprising when you consider what cops face in places like California, where progressive prosecutors refuse to prosecute criminals and politicians constantly demonize law enforcement.

https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1955660637079552062

Hillsborough County reaches full staffing for first time in decades

The results speak for themselves.

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister announced that for the first time in 33 years, his department will be fully staffed.³

“Those 270 law enforcement deputies you provided bonuses for equates to a $1.35 million investment that our governor has made for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office,” Chronister said.

Compare that to what’s happening in cities run by Democrats.

New York City has seen a massive exodus of police officers, with retirements and resignations skyrocketing after years of anti-police rhetoric and policies.

Chicago can’t keep officers either, especially after the city’s prosecutor routinely refuses to prosecute criminals.

Meanwhile, Florida is building the strongest law enforcement presence in the nation.

The recruitment bonuses are just part of a much broader strategy.

DeSantis backs police with more than just words

State Attorney Suzy Lopez made it crystal clear why Florida is attracting so many cops from other states.

“You don’t have rogue prosecutors here in Hillsborough County, and you never will under my watch,” Lopez declared.⁴

She pointed out that in other parts of the country, Soros-backed prosecutors “choose which laws to enforce and which ones to ignore.”

That’s the key difference between Florida and the disaster zones run by Democrats.

In Florida, cops know they’ll have prosecutors who actually prosecute criminals instead of treating them like victims.

https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1955633648063099367

DeSantis has also secured $49 million in pay increases for more than 16,200 state sworn law enforcement officers under the current budget.⁵

The minimum base pay has been raised to $60,000, with significant raises for both entry-level and veteran officers.

Florida has expanded wellness resources for officers, enhanced penalties for crimes against police, and launched education programs to create a pipeline of new recruits.

The state offers student loan forgiveness programs, home loan programs, excellent health and retirement benefits, and genuine upward mobility for officers.

Compare that to what cops get in Democrat cities – constant harassment from politicians, prosecutors who won’t back them up, and communities that have been poisoned against law enforcement.

The great law enforcement migration continues

Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins summed up Florida’s approach perfectly.

“Our state doesn’t just support law enforcement with words; we back them with action,” Collins said.⁶

“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, we’re taking bold steps to protect our officers and strengthen the quality of their livelihoods.”

Meanwhile, in New York City, socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has been criticized for calling the New York Police Department racist and “a major threat to public safety” in social media posts from 2020, according to sources.

Mamdani also used the hashtag #DefundTheNYPD.

Is it any wonder that over 500 cops have fled New York, California, and Illinois for Florida?

The contrast couldn’t be sharper.

Democrat-run cities treat their police like enemies while Florida treats them like heroes.

The result is predictable – the best cops in America are heading south to where they’re actually wanted and supported.

This great migration of law enforcement talent is making Florida safer while leaving Democrat cities more dangerous and understaffed.

DeSantis has created a model that other Republican governors should copy immediately.

When you actually support law enforcement instead of demonizing them, good cops will come.

And when criminals know that cops have the backing of prosecutors and politicians, crime goes down.

It’s not complicated – but apparently it’s too simple for Democrats to understand.

¹ Amber Jo Cooper, “DeSantis awards Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Officers $5,000 recruitment bonuses,” Florida News, August 13, 2025.

² Michael Costeines, “DeSantis Issues $5K Recruitment Bonuses to Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Officers,” August 13, 2025.

³ Ibid.

⁴ Ibid.

⁵ Melissa Masters, “Florida Gov. DeSantis Awards Over 8,700 Law Enforcement $5K Recruitment Bonuses,” Tampa Free Press, August 13, 2025.

⁶ Ibid.