MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – It’s a full-blown crisis on Florida’s roads with dangerously low numbers of state troopers, reckless drivers running wild, and a highway patrol agency that critics say is barely hanging on.
Now, with the state budget stuck in political limbo, some say lawmakers in Tallahassee are once again turning their backs on the Florida Highway Patrol.
In a sharply worded letter to Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez, Spencer Ross, president of the Florida Highway Patrol chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police, called out lawmakers for breaking promises to troopers.
“Troopers are held to the highest standards of conduct and responsibility. We do not create policy, we enforce it. We follow orders, act without hesitation, and carry out our duties assigned to us with professionalism and discipline, regardless of the political pressures or public perception involved,” Ross wrote.
He blasted the legislature for silence during budget talks. “Throughout the current legislative session and ongoing budget negotiations, there has been total silence surrounding FHP funding and the long overdue promises of salary increases for Troopers. We are being used as the rope in the midst of a political tug of war.”
Ross urged Speaker Perez to honor commitments. “If, as you stated, keeping one’s word is fundamental to leadership, I respectfully urge you to reflect on the promises made not just to fellow lawmakers, but to the people of Florida and to those who protect them. The Troopers of this state have honored their duties, it is time for you and the Florida House of Representatives to honor yours.”
Paul Novack, a member of the Florida Highway Patrol Advisory Council, described the situation bluntly. “I would say the Highway Patrol and highway safety in Florida are in critical condition. The situation is out of hand.”
Novack pointed to the state’s focus on highway construction, not safety. “Last year, they put $16 billion into highway construction with none of that for more troopers to patrol those new roads.”
“There’s massive reckless driving, excessive speed, road rage and at the same time, very little trooper visibility. There just aren’t enough troopers,” he added.
Trooper William Smith, president of the FHP chapter of the Police Benevolent Association, said the shortage stems from low pay and lack of career development.
“We lose more troopers than we can hire,” Smith said. “It’s the starting pay. You have no career path. Your salary stays the same until the legislature decides to give you a raise.”
Troopers start at just over $54,000 a year, well below many other agencies. Port St. Lucie police start as high as $70,000, Orange County deputies at $62,566, and Miami-Dade’s new sheriff’s office offers $62,252. Nationally, starting pay for California and Texas highway patrol officers tops $74,000.
To keep enough troopers on the road, the Florida Highway Patrol spends $10 million annually on overtime.
“Our overtime needs to double. It needs to go to $20 million,” Smith said.
Some lawmakers criticize the high overtime costs, but others say it’s a symptom of chronic understaffing caused by low salaries.
“If my overtime is $10 million, I think I have a problem,” said Rep. Randy Maggard.
“We spend an inordinate amount of money on overtime because of the low staffing in FHP,” added Dave Kerner, director of the Department of Motor Vehicles.
The Florida Highway Patrol is part of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, which recently faced a major budget deficit. A hiring freeze worsened staffing shortages.
Rep. Dan Daley criticized current spending priorities, saying, “We spent over $11 million to send a bunch of troopers on overtime to the Texas border.”
Daley called for structural reform. “Let’s take FHP and maybe we put them under FDLE. Maybe we make them their own individual entity. I don’t know what the ultimate answer is structurally but I don’t think our process now is working very well.”
This year’s proposed budget includes $12 million for a career development plan, $3.3 million to replace patrol vehicles, and $2.5 million for new aircraft but no funding for the raises the governor requested.
“If just 2% of the Turnpike tolls were devoted to FHP, there’d be no more problem. But it’s not happening,” Novack said. “I’m trying to bring attention to this to encourage them not to ignore it any longer.”
Critics say $70 million is needed to bring the Florida Highway Patrol back to adequate staffing and pay levels. Until the Legislature acts, they warn the price will be paid in higher overtime costs and potentially in public safety.