LEO salaries aren't that bad. They're average to above average and compete $ for $ with fields that require university degrees. Of course the problem with recruitment is multi-faceted and complex but I think there are many good people that would serve their communities well wearing a badge that reject the possibility on purely moral grounds. A LOT of people believe law enforcement is rotten and corrupt, and would never consider a career for that reason. That's something the law enforcement community seems absolutely disinterested in confronting on the whole.

Then, of course, there's the absolutely fucking ridiculous restrictions on "moral turpitude" that disqualifies half the US population. Things like light experimentation with drugs (beyond weed) in college, a decade or more ago. Total 100% disqualifier almost anywhere. There are MILLIONS of potential candidates that would be solid, dependable, mature additions to any police force that are simply sidelined. It's nonsense.

I'm a good example of someone who would never be considered for any LEO position because I had a little fun in college, years and years ago. I've been an army infantryman, served in Iraq, honorably discharged, college educated (undergrad and a masters certificate), and currently work for the federal government as a federal bank regulator. I make good $$$, have all the trappings that most would consider the hallmarks of a successful life, but one career field would never touch me with a ten foot pole: badged law enforcement. lol Something's wrong there.