I am an old SoCal cop, retired from Rialto Police Department to take a job as chief in Colorado. In my department, we are paying our beginning officers $44,775/yr and topping at $62,404. This is in the Denver metro area and a new house here, 3BR/3 BA 2,000+ sq. ft., will cost less than $300K. When I was in Rialto we all marveled at the low pay in San Diego, I’m sorry to see things haven’t changed.