That's a straw man, but you bring up a good point: if it's a real threat, then you expect to find a real motive.

This guy was retiring, so I don't think he's concerned about his own paycheck.

As a retiring cop, he has the experience to understand what kinds of problems defunding the police would cause when he said that. The mayor obviously does not. There's the motive. It's rhetoric. I keep telling you—he was stupid to say it so he's dealing with the consequences, but there you have it.

Instead of "defund the police"—more regular training, and services like emotional support for cops who get to see all of society's most horrible situations certainly cost money but would go a lot further. You try dealing with domestic battery, screaming terrified children, dead crack babies & whatever else people force you to deal with, and then see how much capacity for feeling & empathy you're left with after a year on the job.

People like this experienced cop are frustrated, so I don't blame him.