They didn't have them before... the reason i would be against it, is because the hellcat is one of the most powerful tools we have as police when dealing with rebel activity. It helps us level the field.
Since they usually have the advantage of numbers, firepower and surprise, the IR camera can help location rebels hiding at a distant sniping for example.
Why would rebels need the hellcat's IR Camera? (which is the issue here, the aircraft itself is fine in rebel hands)
We, the police, already have a really big issue with helicopters:
They all fly over the green zone, they still try and land in it. If it's landed, they take off before we can get to them. Shooting the pilot even when landed is poor RP IMO. And I'm against that.
If it's just hovering, we fire shots, and they circle around while laughing at us. Because we can't damage it effectively.
If they are not in the green zone, we still have wait 3min before we can open fire on it (EG Bank). And they can provide surveillance without being near the bank (or other AO's), which questions whether we can shoot them at all!
So they can tag all police units and movement, with extremely limited countermeasures from the police, without being near the AO (thus, how do we know they are involved?). Yes they have to communicate, but so do we. And we don't have the limited RoE, weaponry or other advantages rebels typically have.
Please don't consider this moaning, as you asked why I thought they shouldn't have it. This is a constructive, objective, assessment on how implementation of the hellcat could affect the police, if rebels gain access to it, and the IR Camera.
The police can easily do all the things the rebels can, if enough thought goes into it, you can surprise the rebels. Known as an ambush btw. Police have an advantage of having a larger source for backup. We rely on alliances which are very hard to come by.
We need the IR camera for the same reason you do, maybe we are planning to recon an area before we do drugs, or planning to enter a city to check who is there already. There are numerous reasons that it would help us, just now means that you might have to use more appropriate cover.
I understand that KOS'ing helicopters is not really RP in your eyes, but think of it as being that when we risk landing, the RP is engaged already. It is part of the RP to shoot on sight, as it is part of the Altis Law. Shooting the heli's on sight may not boost role play, but it sort of does as you are enforcing the laws. Not beautiful RP I know, but what are we going to do.
Regarding the armour factor that the heli's pose, it works both ways, when we see WA99 approaching we do not even bother firing, we wait in cover for them to land and give us a more, how do I put this, fleshy target that is easier on the firepower. If armoured helis are wanted out for the rebels, then they kinda need to be for the cops also.
Finally I would suggest that the rules of engagement are changed a little bit for cops, as I understand the numerous rules which prevent you from acting upon quick commonsense, rather protocol which makes it very difficult for you, and pretty easy for us. I am in favour of this being changed.
Also despite the fact we also have access to buy the helis, at 4 million for non donators, I will probably not be jumping on board without some serious grinding beforehand. Whether it is worth it or not I do not know. On the other hand I am sure cops will enjoy there being more expensive vehicles as it will give more satisfaction when they get to crush them.
Just my take on it, welcome to arguments against, as long as there are some forms of non-biased arguments agreeing with it, as people taking the obvious one side that benefits them only does not make me very happy. Can we keep it civil please people?
