The R44 is a safe machine if flown by an experienced pilot but basically it is too small for this job. Quite a few are used for traffic spotting without any problems & they don't drop like a rock if the engine fails which is rare. A Squirrel is bigger & more suitable & autos much the same as the R44. The police have used Surfs Squirrel for years on a charter basis, so some of them are familiar with it. Winching is allowed at night & regularly done.
A small twin would be nice but probably way over the budget & wouldn't achieve much more. They still need to work out just what sort of flying thay want to do.