Hazardous Devices and Materials Team

Officers are called upon to do many things and handle many types of situations. In the course of their duties they come across the dangers associated with their chosen profession daily. But some dangers pose special threats to the street officer and citizen alike. These dangers, such as explosives, chemical and biological agents, may very well prove fatal to the untrained and unaware. In cases such as these, specially trained officers are needed to respond.

The Hazardous Devices/Materials Unit responds to situations involving homemade bombs, discarded or improperly stored commercial explosives, military ordinances, chemical, biological, and radiological health hazards. The unit uses monthly training with live explosive materials and technical tools to maintain the necessary proficiency to handle these hazards. Technicians assigned to the unit must attend regular training and certification courses provided by the FBI and the I.A.B.T.I., a professional organization comprised of bomb technicians. In 2000, the unit successfully handled 272 responses/incidents, which included the safe removal and destruction of 73 live explosive items.