I think its time to stir up this I/R debate a little more. I think its a good idea for police pilots to have an I/R, why? Many reasons. Firstly nobody is suggesting that we look for bad guys while still in cloud (which is the usual uneducated answer given when this topic is mentioned):MAD: An I/R is more than just flying procedures and an approach at the other end. The ability to fly accuratly and safely in IMC, having the confidence to climb up and recover for an approach is the only way as an industry we are going to stop or at least help prevent weather related accidents. We have all been caught out at some time or other and who hasn't come back, landed and thought "got away with that one!" We are now in the 21st century, SPIFR helicopters are coming so why shouldn't the pilots be similarly rated? As for my own consortium area we have a number of 24hr approaches, so recoveries will not be a problem for us. The 30mins every 3 months? To be safe, no where near enough. Scud running should be kept to the minimum if not another weather related accident is inevitable.
