And how, before the development of SWAT teams, did police handle things that fell under “significantly more intense than normal operations, but not pacification of public unrest”, like say an outlaw gang holed up in their hideout and willing to fight off the authorities?

Well, a lot of times they would just deputize a lot of citizens, which is to say basically create an official armed mob, and just go at it with the understanding that their side would likely take casualties.

I see people complaining about the violence of modern society and it’s like what? You have no idea.