We find that due to raised salary impacts for Ghanaian police officers relative to customs agents causes the police to increase the value of bribes taken at eac

We find that due to raised salary impacts for Ghanaian police officers relative to customs agents causes the police to increase the value of bribes taken at each individual stop by between 20-40 percent (~$0.20 - $0.40), increase the total amount taken on the road, even while they reduce the number times they receive a bribe. Bribe size is increased, frequency is decreased, which is what you'd expect from increasing salary of a public official for the purpose of reducing corruption. Take it to the extreme and increase their salary to USD$1m per year, and the frequency could drop to 0 or 1, and the price could be $10m, so fewer instances of corruption would happen because fewer people can afford it. Public officials are also people. Most people have the same inherent desire to be good, and yet most are vulnerable to same temptations. The reality is not dictated by law. Of course, good enforcement and punishment of corrupt behaviour is also required.