The Hazardous Devices Unit (HDU) is a nationally accredited Bomb Squad staffed by Metropolitan Nashville Police Department personnel who are federally certified Bomb Technicians. The unit is also staffed with USPCA certified Explosive Detector Canines (EDCs).

The mission of the Hazardous Device Unit is to investigate explosive related matters including: bomb threats, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), incendiary devices (IIDs), hoax devices, illegal use of explosives, misuse of explosives, and found military, consumer, or commercial explosives and pyrotechnics. The unit is also tasked with preventing the criminal or misuse of explosives and other dangerous substances.

HDU personnel conduct vulnerability and threat assessments for critical infrastructure, key resources, and facilities of interest along with special events located within Davidson County.

HDU personnel serve as liaisons to Federal, State, and local Homeland Security agencies with initiatives such as explosive mitigation, hazardous materials education, biological and chemical operations, and contingency plan development for extreme hazards.

HDU community outreach programs consist of conducting training, lectures, community awareness programs, and presentations encompassing the areas of explosive hazards, incident response to terrorist bombings, and bomb threat response procedures.


Division Motto
Duty, Integrity, Professionalism
Special Operations Division