Patrol Bureau

The Huntington Police Department’s Patrol Bureau consists of three patrol shifts (Day,
Evening, and Midnight), the Traffic Unit, Special Weapons Assault Team (SWAT), Canine (K-9) Unit, and Police Reserve Unit. Two part-time units fall within the direction of Patrol staff; the Bicycle Patrol and Mounted (Equine) Patrol. The three patrol shifts are staffed by 49 Officers. Each shift is directed by a Lieutenant and two Sergeants. These shifts provide our primary response, through 911, to citizen complaints within the City.

The Traffic Unit has a Lieutenant and three Officers assigned. This Unit is responsible for accident investigation/prevention, speed enforcement, citation issuance, and other  traffic related enforcement issues.

The SWAT team has a team leader, plus nine Officers. SWAT is activated as needed for critical incidents with team personnel responding from other job assignments or off duty time.

The K-9 Unit is made up of two dogs and two Officers/Handlers. These Officers perform other patrol responsibilities but are readily available for instances requiring a K-9 response. A third Officer and dog will be added in the near future.

There are eighteen Officers trained for bicycle patrol duties. These Officers are often
utilized in problem areas to assist drug and patrol units. This unit is utilized as weather permits. This is a very effective community policing component necessary for enhancing and developing community relationships. This unit is completely funded through the JAG grant, through reimbursed overtime.

The Equine unit is privately funded and consists of four Officers trained for horse mounted patrol. This unit works primarily with the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department in a cooperative effort to promote drug prevention, and assist at special events.

The Huntington Police Reserve Unit utilizes citizen volunteers to assist police personnel in routine, non-enforcement tasks. Reserve’s direct traffic, escort funerals, and perform other tasks that don’t require trained police personnel.

In 2007, Patrol Bureau Officers responded to 44,047 calls for police service, investigated
2,419 accidents, issued 4,920 traffic citations, wrote 12,549 field reports, arrested 5,462 adult offenders, and handled 222 juvenile offenses.