Portland Police Bomb Squad Activity and Explosive Device Incidents

The Portland Police Bureau’s Hazardous Devices Unit (HDU), often referred to as the Bomb Squad, has been involved in several incidents involving suspicious packages and explosive devices in recent years. This article examines the unit’s role, recent cases, and the procedures followed when responding to potential threats.

Recent Incidents

In July 2025, the Portland Bomb Squad investigated a suspicious package at the intersection of Congress and State Streets. The package, described as a “pelican case” with markings suggesting it contained explosives, was ultimately found to be non-hazardous after x-ray examination [1]. The scene was cleared by 10:15 a.m. That day.

More recently, in November 2025, a Beaverton man, Samuel Christian Lund, was arrested and charged with attempted murder after allegedly detonating a bomb at an apartment in Cornelius, Oregon. Explosive destruction devices were found in Lund’s backpack during a search of his home, and were secured by the Portland Bomb Squad [3].

In June 2023, the Portland police bomb squad detonated a suspicious device near the intersection of Washington and Ocean avenues [4].

Portland Police Bureau Procedures

The Portland Police Bureau has established specific procedures for responding to bomb threats and suspected explosive devices, as outlined in Directive PPB-0740.00 [2]. These procedures are designed to protect the lives of citizens, police personnel, and property.

Key elements of the procedure include:

• Immediate response to all bomb threats and suspected devices.
• Notification of the Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC) and a supervisor upon receiving information about a threat.
• Gathering specific information about the device, including its location, type, physical description, and potential detonation time.
• Dispatch of a district car and detail sergeant to the location of the threat.

The Hazardous Devices Unit (Bomb Squad)

The Portland Police HDU is one of only three FBI-accredited bomb teams in Maine. The unit utilizes specialized equipment to approach, inspect, and disarm explosive devices [1]. The HDU handles both potential explosive devices and post-blast investigations.

Definitions

The Portland Police Bureau defines two levels of post-blast incidents:

• Major post-blast: A blast scene involving injury and/or significant property damage.
• Minor post-blast: A blast scene with only slight property damage, such as vandalism.

These definitions guide the level of response and investigation required for each incident.