Bomb-Explosive Detail

The Dothan Police Department Bomb and Explosive Detail, under the supervision of the Field Operations Commander, currently serves an eight county area encompassing 319,879 population and 5,026 square miles. The Bomb Detail has ten personnel with extensive qualifications that range from bomb technician, hazardous materials technician, WMD specialist, explosive engineering, and post blast investigator. The Bomb Detail is a FBI certified bomb squad. Responses include more than 557 calls in the last 6 years involving more than 292 pounds of explosives, 60 bombs, 242 anthrax related calls, 111 threats and to 18 clandestine drug laboratories resulting in 59 WMD or bomb related arrests. The Dothan Police Bomb Detail serves as a first responder for both the FBI and ATF.

The Dothan Police Bomb Detail has extensive equipment that includes air-sampling equipment for detection of nerve agents, vesicants, choking agents, cyanide, chlorine, ammonia, phosgene, phosphine and other toxic industrial chemicals. The Bomb Detail has sophisticated radiation detection equipment including gamma scintillation detectors, the ability to detect, make dose rate determinations on alpha, beta, gamma and neutron radiation sources. Also available are a remote controlled robot, bomb transport vessel, water disrupter cannons, x-ray equipment, bomb suits, explosive detection equipment, explosive detection canines and explosive suppression devices. Self-contained breathing apparatus, chemical suits, and other protective clothing allow operation in contaminated and oxygen deficient atmospheres. Biological detection equipment allows field detection of toxic biological agents including anthrax, tularemia, and botulinum toxin and yersina pestis.

For additional information, email cemidkiff@dothan.org

D.A.R.C. (Deploy and Respond to Crime)

D.A.R.C. consists of some 28 officers from shifts throughout the department. This is a mobilizing, proactive force which is put into place wherever a rash of crimes are being committed. These team members are identified with a decal on their vehicle and a unit pin on their uniform. They are called upon to work varying hours to meet the need of the target in question. Aggressive Traffic Enforcement Detail is also part of the D.A.R.C. Team. It mobilizes during holidays and heavy traffic situations to conduct proactive traffic enforcement duties (DUI checkpoints, drug interdiction, etc.). The D.A.R.C. Team is commanded by a Lieutenant and supervised by three sergeants.

Special Response Team consists of officers from all divisions within the Police Department who have received advanced training in negotiations, weapons and tactics. The purpose of the Special Response Team is to resolve critical incidents when they occur.

Public Safety Dive Team

Public Safety Dive Team
The Public Safety Dive Team is operated by the City of Dothan's Police Department and Fire-Rescue Department. This team is designed for emergency rescue and recovery. The Dive Team also has the capability to perform crime scene investigation, evidence search and recovery in the underwater setting. The team can deploy several water craft and has approximately 17 members.

2004 Motorcycle Unit

The Motorcycle Unit was reformed in 2001 after an almost 15 year absence.  The motorcycle unit is made up of 9 officers whose primary duties include traffic enforcement, accident investigations and various other special duties.

2004 Bike Patrol

The Bicycle Unit is comprised of eight officers who work both on day and night shifts.  Their primary duties include patrolling city parks, malls, the downtown area and working special events.