While you are correct that cops did make 25k a year starting (just over the poverty line as per their contract so they couldn’t qualify for government aid) those same cops had their contract raised to 45k starting and 85k topped out. That being said, look at the neighboring counties, cops making 100 110 120 even 150 a year before overtime doing half the workload NYPD has. They make a “lot” compared to low income jobs but they’re the low income job next to their peers.