LB.A. FFS!!! This beggars belief........The bottom line is simply this, you are not a Constable and therefore are not included in the rates for police pay. Ergo you are not a public servant nor under the police payroll. You are a contractor and under that auspice you are no different than any other person in receipt of the allowance.
You are a Commercial Pilot and as such you are entitled. To disqualify you from entitlement they would have to show that you are employed irrespective of commercial legislature and conditions [such as the military] or that you receive allowance or compensation for uniform maintenance etc. Since you do not come under the Police Pay Warrant and are not remunerated by such then the restrictions applying to public servants is not applicable.
The only way you can be legitimately denied access is if it can be shown that you have no real disbursement for the conditions of the FRA by virtue of the allowances and conditions of your employment.
In my company we are provided with all flight clothing, equipment and remuneration for necessary replacement/maintenance. None of which negates entitlement to the FRA which is specific in condition for allocation. All aircrew [including non pilot] are in receipt of FRA.
Your Inspector causes me some concern........he clearly lacks the ability to conduct cohesive thought.
Irrespective of who employs you............you cannot perform the function unless you are a commercial pilot...Duhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
The FRA is not allowable dependant upon who pays you.
The FRA is dependant upon holding an employment that conforms to the conditions negotiated.
HTH
Best Wishes
AA