Special Operations Unit

Captain Robert Johnson
Special Operations Commander
510 Brick Church Park Drive, Nashville, TN 37207
615-232-2970
Robert.T.Johnson@tn.gov

It is the policy of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security to employ the Tennessee Highway Patrol Special Operations Section to safeguard the lives of the general public and officers as they safely resolve unusual occurrences. The unit is responsible for handling situations outside the typical duties performed by members within the Department. The Department will train and utilize these members to facilitate the needs of other enforcement personnel in completing specific duty-related tasks. This specialized unit is based out of Nashville, allowing for deployment throught Tennessee.

Special Weapons and Tactics

All Special Operations Unit members are trained as Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.) Operators. Their duties include conducting high-rick search/arrest warrant service and resolving barricaded and hostage incidents. The S.W.A.T. unit assists federal, state, and local agencies statewide, conducts manhunts, and responsds to man-made or natural disasters.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal

Members of the Special Operations Unit are certified Public Safety Bomb Technicians (PBSTs) through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.) Hazardous Devices School in Huntsville, Alabama. Their duties require them to respond to assist with bomb threats, locate and render safe suspicious packages and explosive devices, and dispose of homemade, commercial, and military explosives across the state.

Aviation Unit

Lieutenant Brad Lund, Chief Pilot
225 Ezell Pike, Nashville, TN 37217
Bradley.Lund@tn.gov

The Aviation Section provides air support to the Department of Safety & Homeland Security as well as other state, federal, local law enforcement, and public safety agencies. The Aviation Section utilizes a fleet of helicopters equipped with various technology including Electro-Optical/Infrared (EOIR) sensors, augmented reality (ARS) mapping systems, search lights, tactical radio systems, radio direction finding receivers, and a microwave downlink system to conduct criminal and non-criminal searches, hoist rescue, tactical operations, stolen vehicle location and tracking, vehicle pursuit monitoring and mitigation, as well as many other public safety missions.  Helicopters and crews, consisting of pilots and Tactical Flight Officers (TFOs), are based in THP’s Knoxville, Nashville, and Jackson districts, providing statewide coverage. Aviation Section air crews are recruited from within the ranks of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.