In SWAT 3, the command menu was two-tiered. The first step in the command menu was pressing a number key to pick a command category, and the second step was picking a command. For example, press 1 to select "As an element" then press 8 to select "Restrain", or press 2 to select "Red team" then press 4 to select "Cover".

I hate the way this system has been butchered in SWAT 4. Pressing tab to cycle between "gold", "red", and "blue" is very clunky and makes it more difficult to bang out orders under fire. Is there any way to restore true classic behavior, with the multi-tiered command menu from SWAT 3?

Check in the menu options. There should be a section to switch to classic commands.

I know that; my point is that the system in SWAT 3 is much better. The "classic" mode is not the same as what's in SWAT 3.

Shucks. Tough luck I guess.