Well for the most part we are not paying a quarter million for a cop.  That's like looking at a company and assuming you are paying all of the employees the same amount that you're paying the Vice President, so that's why you can't afford more employees.

If there are cops that cost that much for their full package (pay, benefits, retirement, workmans comp, etc) I'll guarantee you they've been on the force for over 20 years.

You try that out.