A North Carolina officer submitted his resignation on Wednesday after the policeman was seen on video yanking his K-9 partner by the leash and violently tossing him into the back of a cruiser.
The Salisbury Police Department identified the handler as officer James Hampton and concluded that he “acted in a manner entirely inconsistent” with his training and in violation of policy, authorities wrote in an announcement. Hampton, who was recommended for termination, tendered his resignation prior to a due process hearing by the department.
Disturbing video of the incident, which took place during a training day, showed Hampton placing the struggling canine on a leash and slinging him over his back before telling another colleague, “We’re good, no witnesses.” The officer is then seen body-slamming the dog into the side of the patrol car and slaps the K-9 while yelling, “Stay.”
2 FIREARMS-DETECTING DOGS JOIN MONTGOMERY POLICE K-9 UNIT
“Is your camera on?” one of the law enforcement personnel can be heard saying.
“I think mine’s on,” another officer remarked.
The dog was later identified as K-9 officer Zuul and was immediately removed from Hampton’s care when the department became aware of the footage, authorities announced on March 5. Zuul “received a clean bill of health” after he visited a veterinarian for a checkup on March 4 after concerns were raised about his health following the assault.
At the time, the department did not comment further on the investigation into Hampton.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
“The Salisbury Police Department will continue to review and make the necessary changes to our K-9 training operations, policies and procedures that align with industry best practices,” the law enforcement body wrote in its Wednesday announcement.
