Helinut, I agree with your "If correct " You will note it was a media quote and we all know how accurate they can be. However there is some local evidence to suggest that they might be correct this time.
You are also spot on re the Importance of self deployment in Police Air Ops.
Normally and quite correctly shunned in other areas of Police operations as being ill disciplined, and uncontrolled. Air support is different, and it is different for one very important reason Speed!
The whole secret of success in Police Air Operations is the ability to get overhead quickly, and before the culprit has left the scene. That ability is seriously challenged by any delay in getting airborne. If the crew have to wait until the control room wakes up and thinks "Helicopter" vital minutes may well have elapsed and the culprit escaped. That has been proved time & time again.
Keep Self Deployment, or lose the fight!
tigerfish