The Leon County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad is responsible for the safe disposal of explosives and improvised explosive devices. The Bomb Squad is a member of the Big Bend Regional Bomb Squad, which is comprised of members from four agencies: Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement / Division of Capital Police, Florida Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigation and the Tallahassee Police Department.
Assignment to the Bomb Squad is a collateral responsibility meaning each team member has another primary law enforcement assignment such as patrol or investigations. Each team member must attend the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Hazardous Devices School at the U.S. Army Ordnance Munitions and Electronics Maintenance School, at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. This course is a six week, two hundred forty hour course that teaches bomb technicians how to safely handle, identify and render safe explosives and improvised explosive devices. Team members train twice a month locally and attend other training courses throughout the year. They must re-certify every three years at the Hazardous Devices School. In addition to the bomb disposal training, each member has attended and successfully completed Hazardous Materials Technician training. This prepares them to work in chemical and biological environments while performing their duties.
The Bomb Squad conducts other activities such as Dignitary Protection, Technical Support to the SWAT Team, Public Safety Displays, Community Events and Educational Presentations. In February 2004, the Bomb Squad was accredited through the Federal Bureau of Investigations.
The Bomb Squad has an array of specialized equipment, including bomb suits, disrupters and portable x-ray systems. However, one of the most valuable and versatile pieces of equipment is the ANDROS Wolverine Robot. This robot has a variety of tools that will allow the bomb technicians to observe a suspected device and attempt to render it safe without going down range and putting their hands on it. The Wolverine robot has the capability of deploying x-ray systems, disrupters, and air/chemical monitors.