I searched for the average salary of a cop in Chicago, a place far more dangerous than any city in Canada and in which I would bet all my worldly possessions a place far more dangerous for cops. They make about $65k, in Toronto it's about $82k, and we have a great number of them making much more, especially the plain clothed division who have decimated our civil liberties and in turn our economy while being less unaccountable than the Stasi or Gestapo.
In Canada, I say cut salaries, cut plain clothed officers and hire more uniformed officers, while saving money. Also reform H.R departments. I also think the Ontario Police Act an Act that defends the indefensible officers, would shock Americans. It needs to be updated with a society that is more civilized and free, less focused on Big Brother and defending bad apples at all costs.
We have criminals on our police forces, who once caught, stay on the payroll for many years while trying to have them fired, many making six figures and full benefits, taking trips, even one guy sending a letter mocking the police chief for his free cash. This has to be reformed drastically. You get rid of bad apples immediately, our system of creepy covert Canadians does not.
I don't see the same big budget issues in the U.S that we face, though I know our TPS work with NYPD, OPP work with Cali. cops etc. RCMP with FBI. Which has always worried me that the worst approach your police could take is to copy our creepy police methods and system, while making it near impossible to get rid of bad apples. Other than this, I don't think your cops are overpaid, at least not in dangerous cities. Like intelligence agencies though, you should reconsider how you interact with you "allies". We have different systems for a reason, don't think the differences are even deeper than you imagine them. You are free, you defend your constitution, our police disregard our liberties for benefit of themselves and their agency.
It's up to local municipalities to vote accordingly and fund their issues as they see fit. I don't think uniformed officers, at least from what I've read salary-wise; is an issue in America.