KINGSLAND, Ga. – A Glynn County police officer was arrested Sunday and accused of disorderly conduct and cruelty to children in the first degree, according to the Glynn County Police Department.
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, in the early morning hours.
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.
“Chief Ebner is committed to maintaining the highest standards within the GCPD and wants to assure the people of Glynn County that this incident will be thoroughly investigated,” a spokesperson for Glynn County police said. “The investigation, which will include interviews with all parties involved and a review of any available evidence, will be completed in an expeditious manner. Chief Ebner assures the public that appropriate action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.”
Hampel was immediately placed on administrative leave without pay, according to police.
The Office of Professional Standards, a state agency, is now investigating the matter.