Union County Sheriff’s Office hires ex-Salisbury officer accused of violating department policy in video with K9

UNION COUNTY, N.C. – A former Salisbury Police officer caught on camera mishandling his K9 partner has now been sworn in to serve the citizens of Union County. James Hampton resigned from his position in Salisbury after the video surfaced back in 2021. It showed Officer Hampton dangerously swinging the dog around, grabbing him by the neck, and slamming the dog into a cruiser.

An internal investigation by the Salisbury Police Department found Hampton acted inappropriately and “in a manner entirely inconsistent with the department’s policy.” He was recommended for termination, but quit instead. No criminal charges were filed.

Now, after the Union County Sheriff’s office posted photos Tuesday of other officers being sworn-in, people are asking why Hampton is back in law enforcement. A Union County Sheriff’s Office spokesman tells WCCB they are “aware of the social media traffic and the videos circulating via social media depicting Mr. Hampton in his role at a separate agency.” Hampton is a Deputy Sheriff at the UCSO and we are told he is not yet assigned to a particular division.