Kent Police Air Support Unit
It was more than 30 years ago now that as a serving cop I did all sorts of flying for 'the job' in crappy machines and with no official budget.
The work I did remains sensitive. However, what I can say is that it resulted in some serious collars being felt.
the surveillance value of a ten bob C150 was incalculable.
At the time I felt I was playing the same role as the pioneers of military aviation who were battling to prove the worth of the aircraft v the horse.
Hampshire Constabularly, under the expert control of Bob Ruprecht, were way ahead with their Air Support Unit and led the way nationaly. I spent some time with them.
Alas, the fatal crash of the Edgley Optica flown by a serving Hants police officer was a major setback and possibly contributed to a decision that aircraft on police business had to be flown by civvie pilots(?).
It seems that even now, the worth of a helicopter - or a fixed wing machine as opposed to nothing - is still woefully underestimated.
'How much? You must be joking! '
Many overseas forces use the R44. Why not go that route if a twin-turbine heli isnt an option?
You can get an R44 with all the bells and whistles 'off the shelf'.
All sorts of ANO exemptions are possible. I found the CAA very supportive at the time - no reason to suspect otherwise these days?.
H