The main reason for police pilots being civvies is down to an experiment years ago when Police aviation was in its infancy. Two officers were trained to highest level at police expense . Upon graduating they swiftly took their shiny new licences to bristow and air europe as I recall for a lovely salary far in excess of police pay . Once bitten and all that , They now dont consider training police officers in the role we have to stick to being jafo's . The other reason is experience . I thinkpas look at at least 1500 hrs and they have to be rotary if you are needed to fly one of the few islanders you will be cross trained . At the very least a newly trained cop would have 200 ish hrs following a fully funded integrated course ,Police flying gives some great exemptions to usual air law and common sense has to prevail , 2-3000 hr ex sea king, lynx ,puma pilot or 200 hr r22 graduate who would you choose to fly your brand new notar at 500 feet over manchester at night