The median US police offer salary is $48k per year [1], placing them in the middle of the third income quintile. [2] This means the average cop earns more than

The median US police offer salary is $48k per year [1], placing them in the middle of the third income quintile. [2] This means the average cop earns more than ~50% of the rest of the country. This does not factor in healthy pensions that many police officers (and other government workers) receive upon retirement if they are able to make the necessary contributions and stay with the force long enough. [3] I know a firefighter who just retired and is now receiving $5,800 per month + ~$600 in social security for an annual income of ~$76k. Not bad for a retiree. I'm all for outfitting officers with more monitoring/surveillance gear, but what problem would an increased salary solve? [1] http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Police_Officer/Salary http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Police_Officer/Salar... [2] http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/taxfacts/displayafact.cfm?Docid=330 http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/taxfacts/displayafact.cfm?Doc... [3] https://www.aei.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/-aei-economic-perspective-march-2014_160053300510.pdf https://www.aei.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/-aei-economic...