Channel 11 Chief Investigator Rick Earle received a new scathing letter from the Pittsburgh Police Union.

It is a ten-page letter from the president of the Fraternal Order of Police, the union that represents Pittsburgh police officers, to the mayor and police chief of Pittsburgh.

Union president Bob Swartzwelder called for cuts in the department and described staffing levels as “dangerously low.”

Channel 11 spoke with Police Chief Larry Scirotto on Thursday and asked him about staffing levels.

“763 officers, including me,” said Scirotto.

But in a strongly worded letter from the union, seen by 11 Investigates, this is described as misleading.

Since officers are absent due to illness or military leave, the actual number of officers is 671, according to the union.

Swartzwelder wrote: “…the department is in a desolate state, staffing levels are dangerously low…”

Swartzwelder sharply attacked the police chief in the letter, claiming that he was more concerned with having his officers photographed for a yearbook.

Earlier this month, 11 Investigative broke the story that the chief requires his officers to pose for photos.

“…Police leadership and city leaders must get their priorities straight,” Swartzwelder wrote.

Scirotto defended staffing levels on Thursday, saying more employees would be hired. The union said that would not make up for retirements and layoffs.

“In my opinion, we currently have the necessary number of forces to ensure the security of the city,” said Scirotto.

The union also criticized the police chief for cutting the SWAT team, saying it had saved many lives and arrested hundreds of violent criminals, particularly the team’s response to the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting.

“A successful unit of over 20 with an extraordinarily successful track record was immediately targeted. I’ll let you three find out why,” Swartzwelder wrote.

“We have reassigned and prioritized the tasks that are important to us within the framework of patrol operations,” said Scirotto.

Swartzwelder also accused the police chief of withdrawing two traffic police supervisors who were providing security at the Trump rally in Butler, where a gunman opened fire.

Some Pittsburgh police officers were hit by flying debris, but were able to rescue the injured.

Swartzwelder said they were transferred without explanation, and he said the union filed a grievance seeking their reinstatement.

There are currently 31 recruits attending the academy and the chief said they plan to start another class in November.

The mayor’s office said Mayor Ed Gainey had not yet seen the letter and was unable to comment. The mayor’s office said a response would be available on Monday.

Scirotto said he would also address the letter on Monday.

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