Since terrorism was on the upswing by the early 1970's, it was no longer considered safe for regular police officers to deal with bomb threats. In 1971, various Police Departments trained their first bomb technician. After completing training, the Police Department received a grant from the United States Government for the purchase of equipment. In exchange for the grant, the bomb squad was required to answer hazardous devices calls anywhere that their assistance was requested (Nickell, Fischer, 16).
The Bomb Squad is trained to handle items such as commercial explosives, improvised explosive devices, blasting caps, fireworks and ammunition. Military explosives are secured by the Squad until disposed of with the assistance of the United States Army.
Today, the bomb squad has two fully equipped response vehicles and the most sophisticated bomb detection, disruption and protective equipment available. A remote-controlled robot, remote controlled x-ray machines, various bomb suits and chemical/biological suits, and a myriad of various other tools and equipment are in the bomb squad's arsenal of tools (Albright). The bomb squad regularly trains and is able to operate in almost and environment.
The first major piece of equipment for police bomb squad was an open vent containment vessel that was purchased with Federal funds. The bomb squad still has and uses that same containment vessel. The unit has grown in size and sophistication to meet and exceed the growing threats from domestic and international terrorists, and the threatened use of weapons of mass destruction. When the unit first formed, the equipment available to bomb technicians consisted of a briefcase full of hand tools, some rope and a homemade "water-cannon" made from galvanized pipe and wood (Nickell, Fischer, 17).
All of the department's hazardous devices technicians are certified by the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Hazardous Devices School. The CMPD also has....
Click here to buy this essay.
