that a large majority of Police pilots (and I would think AA pilots, but I'm not sure on that score), are ex military pilots and will most likely have a deal of winching / SAR experience.
Not quite. Figures, as of 18 months ago, showed 49 ex AAC, 11 ex RAF, 25 ex RN and 9 ex RM(with 22 non mil "civilian") Police pilots. Probably 99% of the Army guys will have no winching experience. SO, at the most you're probably looking at a max of 1 in 3 Police pilots with some sort of winching experience.