Unfortunately Murdoch, the times we live in are changing. Big industry cares about safety and their shareholders....not sure which takes the priority.
The end-users are the Oil and Gas suppliers and their core industry - Oil and Gas - has been severely hit in recent years due to diminishing oil and gas prices. That means exploration budgets are cut, air transportation cuts, reviews of air transportation contracts etc etc. These all roll downhill to the air transportation personnel at the coalface.
Add to that, further decline due to a few serious and high-profile accidents, you then have an industry that is shedding its surplus personnel who still need to work. Quite rightly, they will take any reasonable job offer, and potential employers are aware of this because they get 40+ applicants for every job. There is no real need for Police and HEMS to pay big money for helicopter pilots with so many quality people to choose from.....As you said - market forces.
As sad as this is, we are no different to any other industry with a surplus of people (for whatever reason).
For those younger pilots with IRs, I would recommend the airlines. This is a growth industry. The helicopter industry as we knew it will take a long time to bounce back, if ever.
Nobody's fault, thats life. Good luck with your survey.