I'm obviously opposed to this topic and I will try explain why in most civilised way that I can.
Bringing back the old SWAT System has already been explained by Aquaa and is likely never to happen, however my two cents on the matter is simply no. The current TFU are better as they have undergone a tough process and training period in which to become that role and actually know how to handle the situations they find themselves in, Old SWAT half of the time would not have a glue of how actual police tactics work and would often run into gunfights with no comprehension of public safety or the safety of officers, on the odd occasion you would have a decent bunch of swat officers but that was rare.
The current rank system. Obviously, changing it back to the old LT&Sgt system is something that I would not want to happen and simply because the system we have in place now is good, it keeps me motivated to come on and work towards the higher ranks of the police department. Back in the old system I was very unmotivated to actually come on duty cause you would get LT/Sgt and that was it you were a supervisor, additionally the recruitment to become a supervisor was extremely easy and you had people who were on duty as lieutenant who couldn't lead and was a terrible leader, now the supervisors within the PD are competent enough that if you called them to a supervisor call you can confidently be reassured that they will make the right decision.
The server is aimed to imitate Real life which unfortunately means we need a serious police department which I feel despite some things that need to be ironed out we're doing a good job at that. If we went back to the old system though it would literally go back to how it used to be and that being quite honest with you would be the point where I would leave the community because that will just undermine everything people have worked hard to create and we will be left with police officers who are terrible at their jobs. Having the ranks of the department to work to climb up is what keeps me here and what keeps me motivated and if that was removed that would go. I also know that if we were to revert back to the old system it would be like before where trolls would join the PD and start shooting people for no reason which NEVER happens with this new system and if it does they are quickly ironed out.
Now, there is the flip side of the coin where yes there are things that could be changed I'm not doubting that, the pd is not perfect, but a lot of things are rarely perfect and we can only try and improve it. I agree that it can be extremely hard to get to the higher ranks of the department, is that down to biased? I don't know, but it is hard which yes can sometimes be fair since you don't want someone incompetent and unprofessional leading the department or leading a unit, but these are things that can always be improved.
Finally, I noticed a mention of "should staff be allowed to have ranks in the pd"? I honestly believe that TinySlayer who is senior administrator and Deputy Chief of Department does an amazing job at balancing the two positions he holds within this community and that is evident from everything he does from pushing out updates for the server and helping maintain the department. However, I do believe that if someone is a part of the staff team (Moderator+) then they should not be allowed to obtain a rank higher than sergeant. In terms of senior administration I feel they should act as a liaison for the organisation instead of holding a senior position such as lieutenant, captain, major and even chiefs and allow users of this community the opportunity in these roles instead. The reason I say this is so that senior administration can still oversee the departments progress and act as a liaison for the community, but dedicate their time to their roles as senior administrators and allow a chief of department or captain or lieutenant to focus on their roles within the department which will in turn grant more activity to the senior ranks of the department.
The above is just a simple idea and me trying to balance a little more, do I feel that it should be implemented? honestly I don't know cause anyone currently who is in the staff team are somehow managing decent activity and maintaining the roles within the staff team so why change something that appears to work.
This is my opinion on the topic and I hope that those who are opposed to me can understand where I'm coming from as a long standing member of this police department even dating back to the old system and I'm sorry to say but I would not ever want to see that system returned.