04/19/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 04/19/2024 14:36
This week, I welcomed new Sarasota Police Department officers to the Florida law enforcement family at their swearing-in ceremony. Only in Florida, the most pro-law enforcement state in the nation, can you host a swearing-in ceremony where nearly 70% of the recruits moved from out-of-state.
These new recruits join nearly 5,000 officers who have become part of our law enforcement ranks since July 2022-that includes more than 1,200 officers from out-of-state. Many of these officers come from places where their service isn't fully appreciated.
They may come from places where leaders tried to defund law enforcement, or enacted dangerous, unproven policies that made it harder to do their job. In fact, the Florida Sheriffs Association and the Florida Chamber of Commerce just issued the Building Stronger Safer Cities report that goes more in depth about some of these misguided policies-such as decriminalizing drugs or tolerating organized retail theft.
Here in Florida, because of proactive leadership and hardworking law enforcement professionals, we avoided the rampant crime seen in other places. And so many officers from across the nation are making the choice to serve here-because we back the blue.
By supporting law enforcement, we continue building a Stronger, Safer Florida.
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Attorney General Moody with new Sarasota Police Department recruits at their swearing-in ceremony-more than half of the new recruits moved from out-of-state to protect and serve in the Sunshine State.