Florida’s top police union backed Trump in 2020, now supports DeSantis.

Florida Police Union Endorses Ron DeSantis for President

In a bold move, the Florida Police Benevolent Association, the state’s largest police union, has announced its endorsement of Florida GOP governor Ron DeSantis for president. This comes after the union previously endorsed former President Donald Trump in the 2020 election.

“Now more than ever, Americans must elect the one candidate for president who has a proven track record in enhancing public safety and investing in the essential men and women who help maintain public safety every day,” said Florida Police Benevolent Association President John Kazanjian in a statement praising Governor DeSantis. He added, “The ideological experiment of defunding the police and scapegoating law enforcement for America’s social problems has failed.”

Kazanjian further emphasized the union’s support for DeSantis, stating, “For the over 30,000 men and women in the Florida Police Benevolent Association, the choice for us could not be clearer. Governor Ron DeSantis and his administration have made Florida a law-and-order state, by investing in and supporting the thousands of law enforcement officers who serve on the front lines in keeping our communities safe and secure.”

DeSantis has indeed prioritized public safety during his tenure as governor. He has allocated over $100 million to increase the salaries of state law enforcement officers, recruited top talent from across the country to join their ranks, and provided $20 million to local law enforcement agencies to combat the Fentanyl epidemic. Additionally, he has implemented tougher penalties for major crimes, making Florida a haven for all Americans seeking safety and freedom.

“He is one of the most effective Governors in the nation and he will take his proven track record to the White House, where he will continue to have the backs of law enforcement officers and make public safety a top priority,” concluded Kazanjian. “For these reasons, the Florida PBA is proud to endorse our Governor, Ron DeSantis, for President of the United States, and we will do all that we can to help him prevail.”

DeSantis’ Stance on Protests

As early as September 2020, amidst the Black Lives Matter riots, DeSantis took a firm stand on maintaining law and order. He announced legislation that would impose felonies to punish protesters who turn violent and would implement harsh penalties for cities that chose to defund or disband their police departments.

“DeSantis told reporters during a news briefing at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office the bill would charge protesters with felonies for damaging property and inflicting injuries, as well as sentence them to mandatory jail time for hitting a law enforcement officer,” reported Politico. “The bill, which state lawmakers will consider during next year’s legislative session, would also bar protesters who commit crimes from receiving state benefits or working for the state.”

DeSantis made it clear that he would not tolerate the chaos seen in other places. He stated, “If you do it, and you know that a ton of bricks will rain down on you, then I think people will think twice about engaging in this type of conduct.”

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