Police Department

Explosive Disposal Unit (EDU)

The Explosives Disposal Unit (EDU) is a cooperative effort between the Spokane Police Department and the Spokane County Sheriff's Office. The mission of EDU is to render safe any explosive device or explosive material and investigate items that are found and believed to be explosive in nature. The Unit combines technicians and command staff from both departments. A technician from the Federal Bureau of Investigation is also part of the team. The EDU's primary responsibility is within the city of Spokane and Spokane County, but it acts in cooperation with federal agencies to provide service throughout the region of Eastern Washington and North Idaho.

The Explosive Disposal Unit—often called the “bomb squad”—is one of the busiest specialty units in the department. EDU technicians are specially trained and certified by the FBI Hazardous Devices School and EDU technicians must demonstrate proficiency with electronics, x-ray interpretation, hazardous materials, Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and other job-related skills. Technicians must re-certify every three years by passing performance and written exams.

Technicians assigned to the Spokane Explosives Disposal Unit are also licensed to perform demolition work by Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. Technicians are given national guidelines for training, and by meeting these requirements, maintain the squad's national accreditation. Accreditation is required for the squad to function.