and why not? I can't see any issue with having contracted crews and snipers on board. AFP have been doing it for over four years now without any problem.
AFP could easily go out and spend the money, buy their own aircraft and hire their own crews (it would only cost a fraction of the IDG annual budget), but they haven't done that. They're using contractors, contracts have been extended or renewed, so I guess they must be happy with the present arrangement.