Changing of the guard: 10th Deschutes County Sheriff Kent van der Kamp sworn into office

(Update: Adding video, comments from van der Kamp)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Newly appointed Sheriff Kent van der Kamp was officially sworn into office Monday morning by Chief Circuit Judge Wells Ashby, to cheers and applause from a small courtroom's overflow crowd.

"It's been very exciting, I've been thrilled from November 6th on planning, and I don't think my brain's turned off," he said.

Van der Kamp won the hotly contested race against Captain William Bailey in November, garnering nearly 60% of the votes cast.

Van der Kamp's first official day in his new role actually was Jan. 1, as former Sheriff Shane Nelson officially retired on Dec. 31.

On day one, the new sheriff said his No. 1 priority is changing the culture in the office, following legal battles with Shane Nelson and the sheriff's office over claims the former sheriff had retaliated against employees who supported him.

"The culture changed on November 6th," van der Kamp said. "The energy is much different, very jovial, people high-fiving in the hallways, excited to come to work. So that's already changed. And we now need to continue to build on that."

Van der Kamp will now manage a $65.84 million budget and more than 260 department employees. With that, he promises new benefits for officers including flexible schedules, more community outreach, and less workload. 

The sheriff's office has paid nearly $4 million in lawsuits since Sheriff Shane Nelson took office, and has been criticized for its high spending, including $3,000 for a slushy machine and golf carts. But van der Kamp says residents will see changes, starting this month.

"We want to make some more investments in mental health and with our homelessness issue and with drugs and crime," he told us. "Those all were very important to the voters. I want to make sure that we have plenty of money to provide that superior service, and not worry about having to go back to the voters and say, 'I need more money.'"

Safety on Highway 97 will also be a focus as the sheriff steps into his role, planning to build a new traffic team focused on speeding, DUIIs and cell-phone use.

"Everybody struggles with staffing. We're no different. OSP is no different. So we really do need to get out there and pay more attention."

And with his background as a sergeant with the county's Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team, he hopes to create better partnerships,

"The voters sent a very loud message. They wanted to see change. They expect change. And not only me, but from the men and women that I work with. And that's what we're going to bring them."

Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang also was sworn in by Ashby at Monday's ceremony, after which he thanked his supporters and the community and stressed his continued priorities, from housing while protecting the environment to mental health and substance abuse treatment and drought and wildfire resiliency.

Ashby also administered the oaths of office to re-elected Judges Raymond Crutchley and Beth Bagley.