Dishonesty, Abuse of Authority, Misconduct
Kent van der Kamp lied under oath
Kent van der Kamp was intentionally dishonest under oath per investigation by the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office. The pattern of dishonesty discovered was grounds for the District Attorney to place van der Kamp on the Deschutes County Brady List (and be ineligible to testify in court).
Kent van der Kamp violated moral fitness standards
Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) staff determined Kent van der Kamp violated the Board’s moral fitness standards through acts of dishonesty, and misconduct.
“Van der Kamp’s dishonesty under oath discredits the law enforcement profession and the standing of DCSO in the community.” DPSST also found Kent van der Kamp to have harmed efficient operations of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and the public’s trust by intentionally falsifying documents submitted to the Department, and by giving misleading public statements, and misleading statements to an independent investigator.
The DPSST Police Policy Committee unanimously voted to recommend revoking Kent van der Kamp’s police certifications for life.
Kent van der Kamp was expelled from OSSA
Kent van der Kamp was expelled from the Oregon State Sheriff Association by a unanimous vote of all other 32 County Sheriffs in Oregon.
"Upon learning of this [investigation findings and Brady List] information, the OSSA Executive Committee met and determined that, under the OSSA Bylaws, the Board of Directors should decide whether to temporarily suspend or permanently revoke Sheriff van der Kamp’s position as a Director on the OSSA Board. Sheriff van der Kamp was notified that this question would be presented to the OSSA Board at the Spring Conference, and that he would have an opportunity to address the Board before a decision was made. Sheriff van der Kamp did not appear to address the Board, nor did he submit any written materials for the Board to consider."
Deschutes County Sheriffs Employee Association call for Kent van der Kamp to resign and return donation immediately.
The union representing Deschutes County Sheriff's Office employees is calling on Sheriff Kent van der Kamp to resign immediately, citing allegations of dishonesty by the sheriff. The Deschutes County Sheriff Employees Association (DCSEA) is also calling on van der Kamp to pay back funds provided to him for his legal defense during the 2024 election.
"The members of the Deschutes County Sheriff Employee Association will not tolerate dishonesty from anyone in our organization," DCSEA President Sergeant Danny Graham said in a statement Wednesday.
DCSEA becomes the latest group calling for van der Kamp's immediate resignation. All three Deschutes County commissioners and Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler have called for him to step down.
Former supporters, local elected officials, community members are calling for Kent van der Kamp to resign immediately.
Deschutes County Commissioners, local elected officials, and community members, have called for Kent van der Kamp’s resignation.