Buddies of cops always get preferential treatment. That goes hand-in-in-hand with corruption.
In this area, when you add in the tax free bennies (Cadillac plan health insurance and fully taxpayer funded pension, with a twenty-five and out at full pay), the AVERAGE pay for a poeleese pops a little over a hunnert 'n twenty large. And, their job isn't anywhere nearly as dangerous as the trash collectors. Don't get me wrong, the garbage guys make a decent wage ... around 50 large .. but NOTHING compared to the poeleese ... and their job is FAR more dangerous.
Next time my trash man comes by, I'll tell him, "Thank you for your service."