HPD Executive Command Staff

Hank Dial

Chief of Police

Captain Ray Cornwell

Patrol Bureau

Captain John Ellis

Criminal Investigations Bureau

Captain Rocky Johnson

Special Investigations Bureau

Dan Underwood

Administrative Bureau

Hank Dial

Chief of Police

Hank Dial began his career with the Huntington Police Department in 1991 and currently serves as the Chief of Police. Dial has extensive experience in community organization and grant management. He co-wrote the application that received one of sixteen Weed and Seed designations nationwide. He currently prepares and manages an eleven million dollar departmental budget and three million dollars in additional funding. Dial graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and an Associates in Applied Science Degree in Law Enforcement from Marshall University. He is also a veteran of the United States Army where he was an Honor Graduate from the Ordnance Missile and Munitions Center and School and he served as a Company Commander.

Phone: (304) 696-5560
Fax: (304) 696-4434
hdial@hpdwv.com

Captain Ray Cornwell

Patrol Bureau

Captain Ray Cornwell began his service with the Huntington Police Department in 1996. In that time, he has served as a patrol officer, field training officer, Records Division supervisor, departmental training manager, grants manager, patrol shift commander, Administrative Bureau Commander, and currently serves as the Patrol Bureau Commander. Captain Cornwell has also maintained and active role in the Fraternal Order of Police throughout his career through various committees and positions.

Phone: (304) 696-5938
Fax: (304) 696-4434

Captain John Ellis

Criminal Investigations Bureau

Captain John Ellis has been with the Huntington Police Department since 1995 and was hired under a COPS grant. Captain Ellis served his first 12 years on the department working Patrol on Midnight shift during which he served as a part time k-9 handler. Captain Ellis worked as a midnight shift supervisor upon attaining the rank of Sergeant. Captain Ellis then transferred into the Criminal Investigations Bureau and has served as the Family Unit Supervisor as well as the Assistant Bureau commander, before taking over as the Criminal Investigations Bureau Commander upon his promotion to Captain.

Captain Rocky Johnson

Special Investigations Bureau

Captain Rocky Johnson began his career with the Huntington Police Department in 1991. Like all of our officers, Rocky began his career working patrol, mostly on midnight shift. After that he moved into Criminal Investigations, where he spent the past 11 years until he was promoted to Captain. After his promotion, Captain Johnson was assigned to the Office of Professional Standards, where he is responsible for inspections, personnel files, policy & procedure review, and investigating allegations of misconduct. Captain Johnson currently coordinates activity between all specialized units including the DEA Task Force, FBI Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, and the ATF Gun Crimes Task Force.

Phone: (304) 696-5510
Fax: (304) 696-4434
rjohnson@hpdwv.com

Dan Underwood

Administrative Bureau

Captain Dan Underwood has been with the Huntington Police Department since 1995 and has been assigned to the Administrative Bureau since 2009. He has been involved in all facets of the management of the department, however, his main focus has been the oversight of a $12 million budget as well as being a liaison for the city administration, other local law enforcement agencies, and local community groups. Captain Underwood was tasked as the Project Manager/Administrator for the implementation of a new records management system in which the department eliminated or updated antiquated police procedures.

Prior to joining the administration, he was a patrol supervisor for 5 years and served in a community oriented policing role when he was assigned to the bike patrol unit.

Captain Underwood is a graduate of the 264th Session of the FBI National Academy.

Salary & Benefits

$20,000 BONUS FOR ELIGIBLE CERTIFIED OFFICERS UPON
SIGNING A
2-YEAR CONTRACT

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

Testing Resources

Testing resources – written exam

Police Officer written test study guide:
This resource is provided free by the company that composes our written exam for hiring.

Entry level police officer practice exam:
This resource is provided for a fee at your election by the company that composes our written exam for hiring.

Additional test preparation resources are available at the Cabell County Public Library’s website. These resources are not required but would be available at each applicant’s discretion or desire.

Go to to the “learning express hub” (www.learningexpresshub.com). On this page you will see a search box labeled “find resources”.
In the search field, simply type and enter the word “police” and several e-books and practice exams can be found. There are many different fields of study available here, in both entry and advanced levels.
There are also other resources available there for other test prep, civil service tests, literacy, reading, etc. These programs are all free of charge, requiring only that the user create an account and log in.
These resources are not written to prepare for the Huntington Police entrance exam specifically, but rather are general police vocational materials designed to help with test taking skills and preparation.
The Cabell County Public Library also offers an adult literacy program for anyone needing assistance in this area, information on this program can be obtained by calling 304-528-5700. The library also offers computers with internet access during normal business hours should anyone need that resource to access the online information.