As to LEOs being underpaid, I agree. Doesn't mean I surrender my rights to them. Won't help pay their mortgages or rent. Teachers are also undepaid, but you don't have to listen to my lectures to make me feel better either! [/QUOTE]


Not all cops in America are as poor as church mice. In rural areas, the
pay is not all that great, but in other areas, they get paid plenty.
There's a big controversy raging in Las Vegas right now about the
police (Metro) contract. A Las Vegas newspaper reported that a rookie
cop in Las Vegas gets paid $49,000 + per year plus benefits. Pretty
good for a 21 year old guy who never went to college, no?

I've heard of sheriff deputies with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's
Department, in their 30's, who receive $75,000 - $85,000 per
year, including overtime.

And let's not forget the Massachusetts State Troopers working
overtime at Logan Airport. I saw a story about their pay.....
some of them were getting $100,000....$120,000 and more, thanks
to "security" overtime at the airport.

So not all cops are dirt poor, unless they're in a rural area, where
the pay is nowhere near as handsome as in the urban areas.

And for what it's worth, I think the cops working gang-details
and the like earn every penny of their pay.

Same story with teachers. My cousins are teachers on Long
Island and their pay and benefits are great. They will retire
in their mid 50's with a nice pension, too. Rural teachers....
the picture is not as rosy.

Greg