KINGSLAND, Ga. – A Glynn County police officer accused of disorderly conduct and cruelty to children in the first degree, was dismissed after an internal investigation, according to the Glynn County Police Department.
On April 28, officials said the Kingsland Police Department received a call about a disturbance at the home of Zachary Hampel, an officer with the Glynn County Police Department.
Kingsland police arrived at the scene and subsequently arrested Hampel.
According to the Brunswick News, Glynn County Police Chief Scott Ebner said Hamel did not hit a child. Ebner told the newspaper he believes Hampel was upset and his actions in front of children at the house led to the cruelty to children charge.
Glynn County command officers also responded to Hampel’s home and secured all of his GCPD-issued equipment and property, police said.
“This news has been a burden for every officer in the GCPD, including me. However, as unfortunate as the chain of events have been, it is important that the investigation was completed thoroughly and swiftly and bolsters the trust the Glynn County public has in our department to do the right thing, to uphold the highest standards of integrity and accountability,” GCPD Chief Scott Ebner said. “The investigation involved comprehensive interviews with involved parties and a thorough review of available evidence to ensure swift resolution.”