Not sure what most of the recent posts have to do with the reduction in Police helicopter numbers, as usual with most threads, this one has descended into envy, ill founded argument, and a total disregard for facts.
I have flown military, private, corporate and police and can attest that flying the EC135 is easier than the R22, teaching air combat on NVG is harder than taking the rich and well heeled from Battersea to Ascot and back, but I know which aircraft is right for for hovering at night at 1500' over some dimly lit farm yard in Norfolk for 40 minutes, and which is more suitable for basic instruction. The basic fact is that we each do what we do with the tools available in each role. If you think any of the Essex ASU guys thought being a part of 'Interceptors' was a good idea then you're on the wrong planet, they took part because those above agreed it, period.
If you think that ASU crews don't know that a lot of what we get deployed to is a complete pile of sh$t then join those on the aforementioned other planet. We do give feedback, but we are employees of a uniformed and disciplined organisation and when a request becomes an order we get on with it even against our strongest advice. None of us enjoy wasting public money but an element of that is sadly built in.
Carry on with the civi-versus-ex-mil pi$$ing contest elseware, while you guys do that those of us actually doing the job night after night will get on with it to the best of our ability until we get the 3 month warning.
Those within UK police aviation will be aware that most units have at least one member as part of a working group, it's slow progress towards full NPAS, but be assured that those at or near the coal face are getting their points to the those at the top before irreversible decisions are implemented.
Regards to all, have a nice day...