BEND, Ore. — Deschutes County Sheriff Kent van der Kamp said Wednesday he will decide within the next 90 days whether to remain in office, following the release of a draft report by the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) that raises serious questions about his past conduct and credibility.
The DPSST report, first obtained by Oregon Public Broadcasting through a public records request, alleges that van der Kamp was dishonest about his prior employment at a California police department and misrepresented his educational background under oath in multiple criminal trials between 2013 and 2015. The findings, while not yet final, have prompted new scrutiny over van der Kamp’s qualifications and integrity as Deschutes County’s top law enforcement official.
In an interview with Central Oregon Daily News, van der Kamp confirmed he is reevaluating his position but has not made a decision to step down before the end of his term.
“I’m reevaluating every day and I am expecting to make a decision within 90 days,” he said. “If DPSST determines I am not fit for law enforcement certification, I would consider that in my decision. But it’s not required by statute.”
The DPSST report outlines a pattern of inconsistent and allegedly false statements made by van der Kamp, including conflicting accounts of his academic background. According to the document, van der Kamp claimed in expert witness testimony that he held a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California and a Master’s from the University of Arizona. However, in the 2024 voter’s pamphlet, he listed his degrees as coming from the University of Phoenix and Trident University, respectively.
Deschutes County District Attorney Steve Gunnels responded by placing van der Kamp on the county’s Brady List — a roster of individuals whom the DA’s office considers unreliable as witnesses in court due to issues of credibility. Gunnels cited a “continuing pattern of dishonesty from 2013-2017” as the basis for the decision.
A significant portion of the DPSST report also focuses on van der Kamp’s time as a reserve officer with the La Mesa Police Department in California. Investigators allege that he misrepresented the circumstances of his departure from that role during background checks conducted for employment at the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office in both 2004 and 2008.
Despite the mounting controversy, van der Kamp insisted that his public record accurately reflects his academic credentials and maintained that he has not lied under oath about any facts related to criminal investigations.
“I want to reassure everybody that my educational history was accurately reflected on my public materials, my DPSST record, my voter pamphlet. It’s been that way for over a decade,” he said.
Van der Kamp, who was elected in November on a platform of restoring integrity and morale within the sheriff’s office, emphasized the progress his administration has made in recent months, citing improved recruitment, operational efficiency, and internal morale.
“From day one, I focused on the positive change of restoring trust and improving morale,” he said. “We’ve already made historic progress… The accomplishments are just the beginning.”
He acknowledged the ongoing controversy but said he remains committed to leading the department and earning back the public’s trust.
“I take this responsibility seriously, and any decision I make will be guided by what’s best for the agency, my family, and myself,” he said.
As the DPSST continues to review the allegations, van der Kamp’s future remains uncertain. A final ruling from the agency could affect his certification, which, while not required to serve as sheriff, could further erode confidence in his ability to lead.
For now, the sheriff says it’s “business as usual” inside the department, but all eyes in Deschutes County are on the final outcome of the investigation and van der Kamp’s pending decision.
