HAMLET — After two weeks on the job, James Carsto was sworn in as interim chief of the Hamlet Police Department on Aug. 5.
Carsto started his law enforcement career in Estes Park, Colorado, in 2001. After serving there for a few years, he moved to South Carolina and joined the Rock Hill Police Department, where he worked from 2005-2021.
With two decades in the profession, Carsto retired and ran his own business before returning to law enforcement in October of 2023 when he joined the Hamlet Police Department, where he has been lieutenant over criminal investigations.
According to a post on the City of Hamlet’s Facebook page, Carsto “has shown an exemplary record of leadership and professionalism” since his arrival at the department.
He will be introduced to the Hamlet City Council at its next meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 12.
Carsto was appointed to the position July 23 following the departure of now-former chief Dennis Brown.
City Manager John Terziu has yet to reveal a reason for the separation, citing personnel laws and ongoing investigations.
An attorney for Brown issued a statement July 30 saying the longtime lawman “is now in a position where he is forced to defend his integrity and against allegations that are false and baseless.”
Those allegations have yet to be made public.
Hudson Chitwood, who served as second in command as major, is also no longer with the department.
