HPD’s Special Ops Division moving to city’s growing westside

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August 20, 2025

HUNTSVILLE — To accommodate its growing operations and improve coordination among specialized units, the Huntsville Police Department’s Special Operations Division is relocating to a renovated space on Huntsville’s westside.

The new space on 9th Avenue will provide much-needed space for the department’s specialized units as they continue to grow to meet the demands of residents. The units often require unique equipment, training areas and coordination spaces, making this expansion essential to their continued success.

According to a news release, the renovation will repurpose the former General Services Projects Office space on the first floor of the Lowe Mill Office Complex, while Parks & Recreation will continue operations on the second floor.

Construction is expected to begin in mid-September and last approximately five months, with a total project cost of $774,518.

“Our SOD plays a critical role in supporting the department’s efforts across a variety of specialized operations,” HPD Chief Kirk Giles said. “As our units expand to address public safety needs, this renovation ensures they have the facilities and resources necessary to perform their duties effectively and keep our community safe.”

Located adjacent to Lowe Mill and the the S.R. Butler Green and Quigley (downtown) entertainment districts and future Sky Bridge, the facility is easily accessible and enhances police visibility in a growing area of Huntsville.

The new facility will support several HPD units and functions, including:

Traffic Services 1, 2 and 3 (DUI)
Special Events Permit Office, bringing Special Events Permit Officer together with Special Events Coordinator to improve planning and permit coordination
Offices for Special Operations Division commander and lieutenants, enhancing oversight of full and part-time units
A SWAT Operations Room for operational planning and briefings
Central offices for School Resource Officer Supervisors, improving communication between units and upper-level commanders

All full-time special ops units will be in one centralized location, improving operational efficiency, while part-time units gain centralized storage.

The special ops division oversees:

SWAT
K-9
Bomb Squad
Crisis Negotiation Response Team
Incident Response Team
Traffic Services
Safety Patrol Aide
Honor Guard
Bike Unit
School Resource Officers

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