As an agency, we’ve worked hard to train up the next generation of law enforcement officials. Our team cares deeply about our region, the people they serve and the communities they are fighting to protect.
Their thoughtful service and real commitment to positive change is what has facilitated measurable reductions in crime: most recently, we’ve seen a 53.91% decline in murders in 2024 and a 15.6% decrease in overall crime in 2025, including a 7.8% reduction in violent crime and a 17.4% drop in property crime in Jacksonville alone.
We cannot keep delivering these types of results without a highly capable, well-trained workforce that is committed to selflessly serving their community.
Careers in law enforcement and public safety are high-risk and physically demanding. They create real burdens on the loved ones of those who serve and often subject families to long-term health risks.
One burden they should not be forced to carry is fear about the value of their retirement account.
Because of the dangers that these careers hold, members of our law enforcement and first responders are classified as “Special Risk” in the Florida Retirement System.
In 2011, significant changes were made to FRS benefits, including elimination of a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for special risk members enrolled after July 1, 2011, and diminishing the benefits all for those hired before. In the 15 years since, these benefits have not been restored.
Today, more than 125,000 past and present law enforcement officers and fire/rescue professionals across Florida are living with that unfulfilled promise.
Cost-of-living adjustments are intended to help retirement benefits keep pace with inflation, and in turn the rise in cost of goods and services over time. Without these adjustments, the value of these pensions are reduced over time.
There is also a practical case here for taxpayers. Recruiting and training a new officer is expensive. Losing experienced personnel weakens departments and damages the community relationships that take years to build. A responsible cost-of-living adjustment is a far more efficient use of public dollars than constantly rebuilding a depleted workforce.
During the Florida Legislature’s recent regular session, proposed Senate Bill 7028 intended to address this. The legislation would have guaranteed eligible special risk class members who have been retired for at least five years a cost-of-living increase of no less than 1.5% beginning July 1, 2026.
It was a meaningful step in the right direction. Lawmakers have a chance to bring this proposal back to the table and make this right during the upcoming budget special session.
The results we have achieved in Jacksonville are a testament to what a capable, committed workforce can accomplish. Supporting that workforce means offering the people who serve in it a retirement they can count on.
A state that values our law enforcement heroes beyond their years of service is a safer one. Join me in calling on the Florida Legislature to support a cost-of-living adjustment for our frontline heroes.
Sheriff T.K. Waters, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office
This guest column is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of the Times-Union. We welcome a diversity of opinions.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Sheriff Waters: Let’s keep our promise to Florida’s first responders
Reporting by Sheriff T.K. Waters, Guest columnist / Florida Times-Union
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