Yes, this is just my point.
The police are paid employees. As a part of their job duties they are now flying UAV and SUAV aircraft (and in Canada are looking for even larger platforms). That means they are flying for money. Ergo: These are commercial flights.
If the officers come in with their airplanes on their day off and volunteer their time and equipment to capture images, then that activity describes recreational flying and no license is required for this type of aircraft. But that is not what is happening. They are in uniform, on duty, and being compensated to fly task-specific missions.
It is commercial flight. They should either train-up and get the licenses to operate as such, or begin hiring properly accredited commercial pilots to operate the aircraft for them.