The pay and benefits is actually pretty good and an attractive factor in recruitment. You’re obviously not getting former aerospace engineers or doctors, but for everyone else in the middle to lower class spectrum, getting into entry-level law enforcement is an attractive and attainable option if you have an interest. And the majority of those who apply are not in careers making 6 figures or working long dead-end jobs to make ends meet. It can be a long and arduous process to get hired, but the requirements to apply are very basic (20.5 years old, high school diploma). As long as you can pass the rest of the process you’re looking at a rewarding career doing something more exciting than sitting in a cubicle or whatever part-time gigs you were doing before.
but you are correct that hiring isn’t keeping up with the retirements and those leaving the field. Just look at any department website and most of them are offering $5000-25000 signing bonuses to recruits and experienced officers. My own department has not kept up with inflation and cost of living, and we lost around 50 officers in the last 2-3 years. Most were newer officers that were enticed by these higher paying departments offering these incentives and other bonuses that ours doesn’t. City politics and internal department drama also play a role in job dissatisfaction and officers leaving. I honestly don’t think the whole anti-police rhetoric is a factor in recruitment and retention, though it may be used for fear mongering and media posturing.There will always be people that hate cops, but there will always be those that are attracted to the job too.