POLICE Department

Tactical Operations

The Tactical Operations Division consists of an administrative unit and four operational units that are available 24/7 for special threat situations warranting a tactical response. The division’s operational units include:

• Bomb Squad, which responds to all calls involving potential improvised explosive devices and renders them safe; supports SWAT with robot operations, supports large scenes and special events (e.g., Super Bowl and All-Star games); recovers explosive and military ordnance; and any calls involving explosions to render the post-blast scene safe;
• Patrol Canine Detail, which helps patrol officers in their searches for people, and evidence, including both narcotics and explosives;
• Hostage Negotiation Team, which provides specially trained personnel who work to achieve a safe conclusion for special threat situations involving hostage taking or barricaded suspects; and
• Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Detail, which responds to high-risk incidents involv-ing snipers, barricaded suspects, suicide threats, and terrorist activities.
• Dive Team, which handles emergency re-sponse on the water, evidence recovery, vehicle recovery, body recovery, swift water rescue, flood response and requests from outside agencies.