SWAT Undermanned?

From Channel 7:

• A few weeks ago, when the controversial Special Operations Section of the police department was disbanded because of officer misconduct, interim police superintendent Dana Starks promised that certain crucial units within SOS would remain intact.
• But the I-Team has learned that 24 hours after pledging to leave SWAT alone, Superintendent Starks ordered some major changes. SWAT has always been one of the city's most dangerous, demanding and desirable police units, intended to be 60 of the bested-trained, highest-skilled paramilitary cops to handle the diciest calls.
• The I-Team has learned that interim superintendent Dana Starks has transferred at least 16 officers and support personnel to other department jobs, including some officers with skills not easily replaceable, such as a person trained to operate this thermal imaging device used to track down hiding suspects.

Of the 16 dumped, at least 4 have been quietly reinstated, but that still leaves them a dozen officers short. And the allegation that training has is disturbing in that a regular schedule of drills is what keeps the unit operating at peak efficiency. We're heartened that the Department is finally going to offer citywide tryouts, but is it going to be a truly stringent test? Because applying 20 or 30% "merit" or clout spots is dangerous to the public that has every right to expect the best if the shit hits the fan. It's also very dangerous to the police going into situations where you better have the best officer available backing you up.