Why hundreds of police officers are relocating to Florida
Through Florida’s Be a Florida Hero program, hundreds of out-of-state police officers have already relocated to the Sunshine State — drawn by signing bonuses, homebuyer help, and no state income tax.
Florida has become one of the most active states in the country for recruiting law enforcement officers. Through the Be a Florida Hero program, created in 2021, the state actively recruits officers from California, New York, Illinois, New Jersey, and across the Northeast — where many officers face higher state income tax, a higher cost of living, and growing recruitment challenges.
The results speak for themselves: more than 600 officers had already moved to Florida from other states through the Be a Florida Hero program as of late 2022, and the recruitment push continues today. For officers, Florida offers a combination not available in most states: meaningful relocation incentives, no state income tax, growing departments, and family-friendly communities with strong schools and warm-weather lifestyle.
Be a Florida Hero: Key Takeaways
- The Be a Florida Hero program, created in 2021, offers relocating police officers a $5,000 signing bonus, help with a home down payment, and up to $10,000 to adopt a child.
- More than 600 officers had already relocated to Florida from other states through the program as of late 2022, and recruiting continues.
- Florida’s no state income tax adds $4,000-$10,000+ in annual savings on top of the bonus, compared with high-tax states like California, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois.
- Good Greek Moving & Storage, founded by former South Florida police officer Spero Georgedakis, partnered with the program in 2022 to offer relocating officers discounts on moving costs, including packing.
What the Be a Florida Hero program offers
Florida’s recruitment incentives go well beyond a single signing bonus.
The Be a Florida Hero program was created in 2021 to recruit and support law enforcement officers relocating to Florida. The incentives include a $5,000 signing bonus for new officers, help with a down payment on a home, and up to $10,000 to adopt a child. Combined with Florida’s no state income tax, the total financial benefit for a relocating officer and their family is substantial.
For an officer earning $70,000-$100,000 a year, no state income tax alone saves roughly $4,000-$10,000 annually compared with high-tax states. Over a full career, those savings can reach well into six figures — before counting the signing bonus and homebuyer assistance.
Where officers are relocating across Florida
Recruitment is active statewide, with strong demand across Florida’s largest regions.
Law enforcement agencies recruit across Florida, and officers are relocating to communities throughout the state. The most popular destinations include:
- Palm Beach County: one of Florida’s fastest-growing counties, home to large agencies and municipal departments in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, and Jupiter, with top schools and a beachfront lifestyle.
- Broward County: Florida’s second-largest county, with diverse coastal communities from Fort Lauderdale to Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs, and Pompano Beach, plus easy airport access and proximity to Miami-Dade.
- Tampa Bay: the Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco region, combining Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater with pro sports, growing communities, and warm-weather living.
- Jacksonville and Northeast Florida: home to one of the state’s largest agencies, with a lower cost of living than South Florida and a strong family-friendly character.
- Treasure Coast: smaller communities like Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, and Jensen Beach that emphasize community policing and work-life balance.
Why Good Greek supports relocating officers
Good Greek’s law enforcement roots run straight to the top of the company.
Good Greek Moving & Storage partnered with the Be a Florida Hero program in 2022, when founder and owner Spero Georgedakis decided to support relocating law enforcement officers with discounts on moving costs, including packing services. Georgedakis founded Good Greek after a successful career as a police officer in South Florida, so he understands both the dangers of the profession and the lack of respect officers receive in some parts of the country.
That heritage shapes the company’s culture: discipline, integrity, accountability, and respect for first responders are central to how Good Greek operates. The company extends first responder support to police, fire, and EMS families relocating to Florida.
For relocating officers, Good Greek provides full-service moving, including packing, transport, climate-controlled storage, auto transport, and Total Relocation Solutions. Whether you’re relocating from California, New York, Illinois, or anywhere in the U.S., Good Greek’s licensed long-distance routes connect all 50 states to Florida. Florida, Nevada, and serving nationwide. Call (561) 683-1313 for a free moving quote.
Be a Florida Hero: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Be a Florida Hero program?
Be a Florida Hero is a Florida recruitment program created in 2021 to attract and support law enforcement officers relocating to the state. It offers a $5,000 signing bonus, help with a home down payment, and up to $10,000 to adopt a child. More than 600 officers relocated to Florida through the program as of late 2022.
How much can a police officer save by moving to Florida?
Beyond the program’s incentives, Florida has no state income tax. For an officer earning $70,000-$100,000 a year, that saves roughly $4,000-$10,000 annually compared with high-tax states like California, New York, New Jersey, or Illinois — which can total well over $100,000 across a career.
Does Good Greek offer discounts for relocating officers?
Yes. Good Greek partnered with the Be a Florida Hero program in 2022 to offer relocating law enforcement officers discounts on moving costs, including packing. Founder Spero Georgedakis is a former South Florida police officer, and first responder support is core to the company’s identity.
Which Florida regions are recruiting police officers?
Recruitment is active statewide, with strong demand in Palm Beach County, Broward County, the Tampa Bay region, Jacksonville and Northeast Florida, and the Treasure Coast. The right fit depends on department openings and family priorities.
How do I plan a long-distance move to Florida as an officer?
Get binding quotes from licensed long-distance movers, verify USDOT numbers at the FMCSA, and request in-home or video surveys for accurate estimates. Plan ahead for peak season (May through September). Good Greek serves all 50 states with Florida-bound moves and offers first responder support.