...do all this for pitiful pay...A HS grad will make over $100K after five years here in SoCal.
I'm sure they can handle a bit of oversight.
Or, get a different job.
Not possible. The median income in Cal is $61K.
Many police department require college degrees, and how far does $100K go in SoCal? Tell me, could you view a decomposing, stinking body with equanimity? Stay calm while someone threatens you and your family and makes a move that might mean he has a weapon and intends to use it? Arrest the scum of the earth, like child abusers, and not lose your cool?
At least do a ride-a-long a few times with a cop and get an inkling of what they do. Every cop in uniform is a target for his or her entire shift. They must be on constant alert.