Assistant Chief Charles R. Hampton, Jr. was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from Marquette University while completing the Milwaukee Police Academy. After serving six years with the Milwaukee Police Department, he joined the Atlanta Police Department in 2001 and graduated as valedictorian of Academy Class 175.

Hampton began his APD career in Zone 5, patrolling the Underground Atlanta area. He later served in the Field Inspections Section, where he led a team responsible for auditing departmental policies and procedures. This work contributed to APD earning its first accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).

In 2006, Hampton was promoted to investigator and assigned to the Special Victims Unit, where he investigated sexual offenses committed against children. He was promoted to sergeant in 2008 and served in Zone 6 before returning to the Special Victims Unit.

Following his promotion to lieutenant in 2013, Hampton commanded the Evening Watch and Criminal Investigations Unit in Zone 4. He was later selected to lead APD’s Homicide Unit. Under his leadership, the unit achieved a strong clearance rate and solved numerous cold cases. The work of Atlanta’s prestigious “Hat Squad” was also featured on A&E’s The First 48, showcasing the skill, sacrifice and dedication of APD homicide investigators.

Hampton was appointed captain in March 2017 and served as the assistant commander of Zone 5, helping manage the daily operations of approximately 170 sworn personnel. In August 2017, he was appointed major and selected to command Zone 1, which serves communities throughout Northwest Atlanta. He was selected to lead the Office of Professional Standards in January 2020 and was appointed deputy chief of police in January 2021.

As deputy chief and commander of the Special Events Division, Hampton held primary responsibility for the division’s public safety planning, operational readiness and coordination for some of Atlanta’s largest and most complex events.

In 2025, Hampton led the division’s planning and operational coordination for the College Football Playoff National Championship, successfully executing its role in the department’s comprehensive security operation.

The following year, he led the division’s public safety operations for six weeks of 2026 FIFA World Cup matches, watch parties and related events throughout Atlanta. Hampton directed the division’s comprehensive security strategy and coordinated operational response as the city welcomed visitors from around the world for one of the largest sporting events on the global stage. His leadership was instrumental to the successful execution of Atlanta’s public safety operations throughout the tournament.

In July 2026, Hampton was named assistant chief of the Atlanta Police Department.

Assistant Chief Hampton is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command, Class 399; the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police, Class 75; and the Atlanta Police Leadership Institute, Tier 5. Through the Atlanta Police Leadership Institute, he participated in an exchange program with the Israel Police. He is also a Georgia POST-certified instructor and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Assistant Chief Hampton and his wife are the proud parents of two daughters and reside in the City of Atlanta.