‘So sad’: Deschutes Commissioner Phil Chang offers praise, but shares disappointment as sheriff is added to Brady list
(Update: Adding video)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)-- Commissioner Phil Chang is sharing his disappointment as controversy continues to swirl around Deschutes County's new Sheriff Kent van der Kamp.
"Sheriff van der Kamp has really done important things in these 100 days," Chang told KTVZ News on Wednesday. "And that's part of what makes all of this so sad for me. "
Chang says the first 100 days of the sheriff's term have been successful: "Inspiring sheriff's office personnel and raising morale, and improving fiscal responsibility and management. Reintegrating the sheriff's office into the county."
But this week, the community learned that van der Kamp has been placed on the county's Brady list, meaning he is barred from giving testimony in future cases as an expert witness because of issues regarding his truthfulness.
District Attorney Steve Gunnels made the decision last week after determining the sheriff may have lied under oath multiple times, including two DUII cases.
Van der Kamp has denied the allegations and told KTVZ News Wednesday he is meeting with his legal team and will have more to share next week.
Police expert Dr. Thomas Shea says public trust may never be the same: "He's the sheriff. He's getting accused of lying. How's it going to impact the men and women who serve under him? No one's going to trust them, too, or they're going to have to deal with the consequences of his own untruthfulness."
Some residents on social media are demanding that van der Kamp resign.
When asked if the sheriff could gain back public trust, Shea said: "You can't."
The Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training is reviewing the reports submitted by the DA's office, but a spokesman told KTVZ News they cannot specify when that report could be released.
Commissioner Chang says if the sheriff's certification is revoked, commissioners will decide who takes over. "In the case that the sheriff can no longer serve or in the case that the sheriff resigns, our job will be to appoint someone to serve as sheriff until the next election."
