Deschutes County sheriff’s captain William Bailey appeals firing after investigation into radio comments

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Former Deschutes County Sheriff's Captain William Bailey is appealing his firing from the agency. The termination followed an investigation into comments Bailey made during a radio appearance in June of last year.

The appeal will move to a hearing before the Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners. The Deschutes County administrator confirmed the hearing will provide Bailey an opportunity to contest the county's disciplinary decision.

The investigation into Bailey's conduct focused on comments he made during a radio broadcast. In those remarks, Bailey criticized then-Sheriff Kent Van Der Kamp. Bailey alleged that he and his supporters were the targets of retaliation within the sheriff's office following the election.

Bailey also addressed the internal atmosphere of the department during the radio appearance. He described the morale within the sheriff's office as "broken." The Deschutes County administrator is coordinating the next steps in the appeal process.

The matter is scheduled to go before the Board of County Commissioners, where Bailey will be permitted to challenge the county's decision to terminate his employment.

A specific timeline for the hearing before the Board of County Commissioners is still being developed.