TAMPA, Fla. — Florida is making a move to recruit law enforcement away from other states and cities.

A virtual recruiting session is happening Thursday, offering some lucrative incentives to those who protect and serve.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody offered her encouragement to new recruits Wednesday at the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office headquarters in Ybor City.

What You Need To Know

  • Job fair taking place from noon to 3 p.m. 

She was surrounded by several new officers and deputies that have moved from out of state to work in the Bay area and across Florida.

Moody’s office, along with the Florida Sheriff's and Chiefs of Police Associations are teaming up to entice law enforcement officers to make the move to Florida.

Among the offers to new recruits:

·     $5,000 one-time, after-tax recruitment bonuses.

·     $1,000 allowances towards basic recruit training costs.

·     Up to $1,000 of equivalency training costs for certified law enforcement officers, or members of the special operations forces who become full-time law enforcement officers, who relocate to Florida.

·     Up to $25,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance to eligible “hometown hero” homebuyers.

·     Up to $25,000 for officers who adopt a child from Florida’s child welfare system.

·     An exemption from basic prerequisites for veterans and applicants with an associate degree or higher to enter a law enforcement officer basic recruit training program; and,

·     Family empowerment scholarships so that children of law enforcement officers may attend a school of their choice, including private schools.

Moody also said making sure law enforcement knows they are supported is a key recruitment tool.

"We stand up for the rule of law,” she said. “And we stand up for prosecuting criminals that make our communities less safe. And, sadly, this is not the case in other parts of the country."

Thursday’s virtual job recruitment event will target police in cities like Chicago and New York, among other locations.

Interested individuals can sign up for the Virtual Job Fair at this link. The job fair taking place from noon to 3 p.m.