Well, since K toy wants to talk salaries:
LAPD is the most understaffed big city PD in the nation. Because of that, we have overtime to make up for staffing. The consent decree policies add a lot of paperwork and related overtime as well.
A first year cop in a busy division in the south bureau can expect to make 15-17k over whatever his base salary is, that's also due to no night court (ex.=morning watch ofcr. gets off at 0730, has to be at court at 0830-1200), then back to regular watch at 1800. Turn around time can sometimes be imposed as well when an ofcr. has to return to work without 8 hours down time.
Most divisions have O/T shifts available seven days a week.
Yes, you'll never hear me say I make too little. Never complained about pay here. But remember, it's not what you earn, it's what you keep and what you do with it that counts.
Oh, and for those in the construction industry who think we get paid too much. I just learned of union construction rates for certain super 10 haulers in Ca.
$100/hr. with double, triple time rates too? Pretty nice. We only go one and one half for our O/T. Any used super 10's for sale? I'm ready to buy one and quit my LAX O/T! LOL. Bobcat operators are making nice coin too with little overhead.