Discussions for the past two months have been over two choices. One to disband the Police Department or two, keep only two officers. At the moment, the city has no officers and the county Sheriff' Department is maintaining law and order in the city which is part of the their responsibility as it is part of the county. The Arkansas State Police has also been seen in the area as a regular part of their duties also. The City of Hampton is not without police protection.
The City Council is working to decide what is in the best interest of the city of Hampton and its citizens. The choice to keep two officers and the police department is currently in place. The effort is being made to hire a Chief of Police, required or maintain a police department, and one other officer. This is, currently, the maximum the city can afford, two officers. The city would be able to enforce ordinances and fines for the safety and well being of the citizens.
The second option is to turn the responsibility over to the county, which would eliminate the Hampton Police Department. In this scenario, according to Sheriff Vernon Morris, the county would need to hire two more deputies to adequately cover the additional responses.
There are two notices (page 3) for the positions of Chief of Police and Patrol Officer, and also their is a vacancy on the city council. The next City Council will meet on June 18, 2026.
