At present there are more than a few current police pilots in the UK under threat of redundancy in the next year, I know of 2 in my region (not far from the Met) with IRs and 3000-4000 hours and ex Army, who will be quite interested in this job.
With this type of candidate looking to jump from their present employer before being pushed, is it any wonder that those with less qualifications and experience (IR, intimate knowledge of the procedures and legislation of police operations) won't be called for interview?
These are tough times for public money so the employer will want the very best for their cash.