Cops generally make a lot more than the official base pay. They get lots of routine highly compensated overtime even when working only 2000 hours a year. Published figures usually aren't representative. Seniority gives mid career cops lots of opportunities to pad overtime hours. Check the actual pay instead of salary schedules.

Also, retirement with nearly full pay at age 50 is common.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010...

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-12-17/highest-paid-califo...

http://www.sacbee.com/statepay/?name=&agency=CALIFORNIA+HIGH...