Deschutes County Sheriff Kent van der Kamp tells KTVZ News he’ll ‘reevaluate,’ decide whether to resign within 90 days

(Update: More van der Kamp comments)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- As more concerning accusations came to light Wednesday, this time in a state agency's draft investigative report, Deschutes County Sheriff Kent van der Kamp told KTVZ News he'll decide whether to resign in the next 90 days.

Van der Kamp told us late Wednesday that he cannot speak to the specifics of the pending state investigation, the impact of which will become clearer in coming days and weeks.

“I’m going to respect the process and move forward from there,” van der Kamp told Isabella Warren.  

Despite the issues in past years that he couldn’t speak to, the sheriff called it “an unfortunate situation that happened in 2013,” but that the correct info has been “out there for over a decade,” including when voters elected him last fall. 

“None of that has changed. It’s the same person they voted for. “ 

He said he pursued the post because of “the need for change in an agency that was struggling and in a state of despair. And today, it’s the opposite. The energy’s high – the energy is even I’d say vibrant.” 

Despite online calls by some for him to step down, van der Kamp said, “I’ve gotten over 100 emails and messages from supporters from around the community, saying the opposite. They realize there’s a mandate from the people, restoring trust, improving morale and effectiveness. There’s more work to be done – I'm reminded of that every day.” 

He also said the agency’s “staff has been supporting me overwhelmingly.” 

“Obviously I’m not proud of the news stories, one after the next,” van der Kamp said. “But keep in mind that I’m holding myself accountable for those. We’ll continue moving forward, business as usual.” 

As for that eventual decision, the sheriff said, “I’m going to be guided on what’s best for the agency and my family and, of course, me. But within 90 days or so, we’ll reevaluate, and if I have a different take, I’ll communicate that to everybody involved.” 

State agency's draft report confirms, adds to issues about false testimony

A draft report from the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training, obtained Wednesday in a public records request by KTVZ News, confirms and adds to the reports of past dishonesty by van der Kamp about his educational and work background.

"The DPSST has found that you engaged in conduct that may violate the Board’s moral fitness
standards," Cindy Park, DPSST's professional standards compliance coordinator, said in an April 14 cover letter to van der Kamp, accompanied by the draft nine-page report to the agency's Police Policy Committee, both of which you can read in full below.

Van der Kamp was told he has until May 5 to file a written mitigation report with DPSST. He also can make a five-minute verbal statement to the Police Policy Committee, but not engage in questions and answers at that time.

The revelations continue a month-long swirl of investigations into the sheriff's background, after Deschutes County District Attorney Steve Gunnels placed him on the Brady list of law enforcement personnel who prosecutors cannot “ethically” call as expert witnesses in criminal cases.

According to the DA, Deschutes County Sheriff Kent van der Kamp submitted documents and falsely testified on the witness stand several times about his educational background, claiming to have degrees from two universities he never attended.

The University of Arizona and the University of Southern California both shared that they have no record of van der Kamp ever attending those schools.

During the election, van der Kamp was also under scrutiny for allegations of falsifying his resume when he was hired by Deschutes County.

According to the county and public records, van der Kamp was terminated from his position at the La Mesa Police Department in California before he came to Deschutes County. He denied those allegations, even filing a temporary restraining order to keep the records from being released, though the documents were ultimately shared after his attorney accidentally released them.

According to OPB, the draft report from DPSST's investigation confirms van der Kamp was terminated by the La Mesa PD, continuing a string of dishonesty about his past.

During the election, van der Kamp was in legal battle with previous Sheriff Shane Nelson and the sheriff's office over claims Nelson had retaliated against employees who supported van der Kamp.

--

Here is the letter and report sent recently to Sheriff van der Kamp, obtained by KTVZ News in a public records request