Why can't you guys stick to the topic of Chas' first post?
Why does it have to be about; "you Brits better stop talking s**t about us Americans"?
I think that Chas has brought up some very important questions, and they should be even more important to the Americans in the forum, especially when you have live under these "police pilots" flying around above you.
What difference does it make if it was a Brit that posed the questions, it doesn't make them any less valid.
On a side note; I have to agree with the "pay peanuts, get monkeys" statement. Take the NYPD for example. Their whopping $33K starting salary is certainly reflected by the caliber of most of their Officers and PPO's, not all but the majority.
Lets hope that most of the other agencies around the country pick from the best in their ranks and not the NYPD way of needing to know someone high up to get into the likes of the aviation unit.