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Officer linked to controversial K9 video hired by UCSO
UNION COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A former Salisbury police officer who resigned from his position after a controversial video showing him reportedly mishandling his K-9 partner is now working for the Union County Sheriff’s Office.
James Hampton, who resigned from the Salisbury Police Department in 2021 following the incident, was recently sworn in as a deputy sheriff in Union County.
The sheriff’s office welcomed Hampton and two other new hires during a ceremony in July 2025, sharing the announcement on social media.
The viral video that led to Hampton’s resignation showed him lifting his K-9, named Zuul, off the ground by its leash and striking the dog. Though criticized, no criminal charges were filed after investigations concluded Hampton’s actions didn’t meet the threshold for prosecution.
The Rowan County District Attorney’s Office initially said it could not pursue charges without a formal criminal investigation. The State Bureau of Investigation declined to step in, citing insufficient evidence of a felony.
Investigations done by other sheriff’s offices found the handling of the dog to be “excessive” and inconsistent with current training practices, though no intent to harm was determined.
Queen City News reached out on Monday to the Union County Sheriff’s Office for a statement about Hampton’s recent hire. A spokesperson responded:
“We are not able to respond and/or provide a statement regarding the hiring of Mr. Hampton as any potential response would most definitely involve confidential personnel information which, by law, we are not allowed to discuss publicly.”
Despite the controversy surrounding his departure from Salisbury, Hampton has continued his law enforcement career and will now serve in Union County.
The sheriff’s office has not said whether Hampton will be working with K-9s in his new role.
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