Los Angeles: In recognition of its hard work and dedication to guarding the environmental safety of the citizens of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Police Department's Hazardous Materials/Environmental Crimes Unit will receive a Special Resolution from the Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday, June 15th.

The presentation will take place at approximately 9:45 AM in City Council Chambers at City Hall, 200 North Spring Street, and will be introduced by City Councilman Dennis Zine.

Since its inception in 1979, the Hazmat Unit has provided vital specialized strategic services for the LAPD. The unit plans and executes police response to high-risk felonies involving the use of volatile and/or environmentally sensitive substances.

As California Certified Hazardous Materials Technicians and Specialists, Hazmat officers are among the most technically advanced experts of their kind in the country. To date, each member of the unit has received over 1,800 hours of formal training.

The unit's scope has broadened in recent years to include threats of domestic terrorism. The team has received in-depth training for the handling of incidents involving Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) and utilized grants to purchase equipment necessary for carrying out its technical response to WMD events. They have also responded to more than a dozen high-profile Anthrax hoax calls.

More routinely, the unit performs field environmental investigations, executes search warrants, conducts highway hazardous material transportation investigations, enforces smog laws and itself conducts Hazmat training.

Requests for further information may be directed to the LAPD Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586.