HPD Executive Command Staff

Chief Watkins

Chief of Police

Chief Phil Watkins is the Chief of the Huntington Police Department and a member of the Command staff with over 23 years of experience.

Before being promoted to this position of leadership, Phil served as assistant Commander of both the Criminal Investigations Bureau & the Administrative Bureau where he oversaw the daily operations of each bureau. Prior to serving in those leadership positions, Phil Commanded two of the three shifts in the Patrol Bureau, office of Professional Standards and was an Investigator in the Criminal Investigations Bureau.

Phil earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Marshall University.

Captain Compton

Administration Bureau Commander

Captain Merritt

Patrol Bureau Commander

Captain Bills

Criminal Investigation Bureau

Captain Compton

Administration Bureau Commander

Captain Steve Compton is the Commander of the Administrative division of the Huntington Police Department and a highly regarded member of the department’s command staff with over 24 years of experience. Before being promoted to this leadership position, Steve led one of the department’s premiere units, the Forensic Investigations unit, where he was highly trained in and able to provide expert testimony in the disciplines of crime scene reconstruction, bloodstain analysis, shooting reconstruction, and fingerprint comparison techniques. As Steve rose thru the ranks of the department, he has served as patrolman, Crisis Negotiation Team member & leader, certified law enforcement instructor, and member of the department’s Honor

Captain Chris Merritt

Commander of Patrol Division

Captain Chris Merritt is the Commander of the Patrol Division of the Huntington Police Department and is a valued member of the department’s command staff with over 28 years of experience. Before being promoted to this leadership position, Chris oversaw the Office of Profession Standards and was responsible for maintaining the operating polices of the department, overseeing the updating of the policies, and heading the department’s commitment to professional conduct. Prior to serving in that position, Chris ascended thru the ranks of the department from serving as a patrolman and field training officer to becoming a shift & squad commander in charge of the day-to-day operations of the officers on patrol.

Captain Bills

Criminal Investigations Commander

Captain Shane Bills is the Commander of the Criminal Investigations Bureau and a valued member of the department’s command staff with over 23 years of experience. Prior to being promoted to this position of leadership, Shane oversaw the Office of Professional Standards and was the supervisor of the department’s Violent Crime unit who are responsible for investigating the city’s most violent cases. Shane rose thru the ranks of the department from serving as a patrolman, Corporal who was instrumental in re-establishing the department’s Drug Unit and served as assistant Patrol Bureau in charge of assisting the day-to-day operations of the patrol division. During his esteemed career, Shane has been a member of the FBI Violent Crime Drug Task Force, DEA Task Force, Defensive Tactics instructor, and the department’s most tenured and respected SWAT team member.

Salary & Benefits

$20,000 BONUS FOR ELIGIBLE CERTIFIED OFFICERS

BASE SALARY JULY 2021:
$42,085

AVERAGE PATROLMAN SALARY with OT:
$58,812

OVERTIME:
Ample paid overtime available and encouraged

SHIFT DIFFERENTIAL

LONGEVITY PAY

VACATION:
2 weeks after 1 year
3 weeks after 5 years
4 weeks after 10 years
5 weeks after 15 years
6 weeks after 20 years

HOLIDAYS
SICK LEAVE
EMERGENCY LEAVE
HOSPITALIZATION
LIFE INSURANCE
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS:
- Vision and Prescription benefits
PENSION SYSTEM
JOB SECURITY UNDER STATE CIVIL SERVICE
CREDIT UNION
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER