The state of Florida is dealing with a serious trooper shortage, as the Florida Highway Patrol tries to attract new ones.

  • Shortage of troopers in Florida
  • Florida Highway Patrol has about 200 openings statewide
  • Officials say they are losing applicants to jobs with higher pay

There are 200 openings statewide, with about 20 positions available in Orange and Osceola counties.

According to Troop D officials, the problem is they are losing applicants to other agencies that offer higher pay.  Since 2010, the agency has lost more than 900 troopers, almost half of its workforce.

FHP has been working with the Gov. Rick Scott, who recently gave troopers a 5 percent pay increase.

“The pay is not always the best, but however, the package for your benefits, your retirement, it’s all there to kind of help out with the low pay,” said Sergeant Kim Montes, with FHP.

Montes says if you get hire, your pay will go from $34,000 a year to $38,000.

The agency will hold a career fair on Aug. 3 at the FHP’s headquarters in Tallahassee.

Other law enforcement agencies, like the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, are also having trouble filing positions.

Sheriff Jerry Demings submitted a request in June to raise deputies’ salaries.