The primary responsibility of the Hazardous Devices Unit is to respond to calls involving explosive devices, suspected explosive devices, recovered explosives, bomb threats, and actual bombings. The Unit responds to these calls not only in Knox County, but also in the surrounding sixteen county region. When an improvised device is found, the Unit must then render that device safe.

The Hazardous Devices Unit is accredited by the FBI, and consists of technicians, Explosives Detection K-9 Teams, and a support team of officers with a variety of expertise such as medical training and electrical training. The support team also has an arson investigator to handle post-blast investigations.

In 1999, a fully functional Bomb Robot was donated to the Sheriffs Office, and is utilized by the
Hazardous Devices Unit for situations that are too dangerous for an officer.