‘I’m still the sheriff’: Deschutes Sheriff Kent van der Kamp to attend national sheriffs’ conference, weeks before retiring
Claire Elmer
(Update: Adding details, video, comments by the sheriff, others)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — This week, tension and turmoil continue to surround the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.
New information from a public records request revealed Sheriff Kent Van der Kamp is planning to travel to Florida for the National Sheriffs’ Association conference later this month. The trip is expected to cost taxpayers over $3,500, which includes air fare, hotel, conference fees, a rental car, and per diem.
KTVZ News spoke with Van der Kamp in a phone call on Monday to ask why he is attending, when he has said he will retire in August. His response? “I’m still the sheriff.”
Van der Kamp also said he wants to make valuable connections for the department, including in the area of suicide prevention.
The conference runs June 23-26, yet Van der Kamp is staying through the 28th.
In an email thread obtained by KTVZ News, van der Kamp was asked by his assistant about the extended stay. He cited a “tour of a multi-agency law enforcement training facility” the day after the conference. But when KTVZ News asked if that was the same facility he signed up to tour on the second day of the conference, van der Kamp responded, “I don’t know if it’s the same facility or not.”
Questions have also emerged regarding the cost and approval process of the trip.
While county policy states that out-of-state vehicle rentals require Risk Management approval, the section for that approval was marked “N/A” on his form, even though a rental car was listed. Van der Kamp confirmed he signed the form — as both the employee and the head of the department — but said his assistants handled the logistics.
The flight alone cost nearly $1,200 with Delta. Publicly available fares for the same route in June ranged between $332 and $616 on other airlines. County policy requires employees to book the most affordable options available. When asked about the price discrepancy, van der Kamp stated that his assistant handled booking and chose the “cheapest option available at the time.”
Van der Kamp is a Delta Platinum Medallion member — a status requiring high annual spending with the airline, and one that earns miles per dollar spent. He is estimated to receive nearly 10,000 miles from this trip, raising questions about whether or not he chose the flight for the additional personal benefits.
We have reached out to the sheriff’s assistant to verify her role in the travel arrangements, but have not yet received a response.
This information comes on the heels of more alleged concerns involving Sheriff van der Kamp.
KTVZ News learned through an anonymous source that a meeting at the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office took place last Thursday. According to the source, Undersheriff Aaron Wells stood up to address Sheriff van der Kamp directly, joining those calling for him to resign immediately.
Following Wells’ comments, other staff members spoke, directing their messages of disappointment to van der Kamp and sharing the sentiment that he should resign now. The source told KTVZ News that some members shed tears while speaking of their desire to have van der Kamp leave office.
The source also claimed that commanders appointed by van der Kamp allegedly no longer support him, and are frustrated that the sheriff is supposedly “rarely at the office” and “ruining the department’s credibility.”
The words of his co-workers appeared to not have an effect on van der Kamp, as the source claimed he remained silent and did not respond.
KTVZ News reached out to Undersheriff Wells, asking if he could confirm or deny the information, or if he would like to make a statement. In response, Wells told KTVZ in an email that he has “no comment on the meeting.”
In addition, KTVZ News asked Sheriff van der Kamp if he attended the aforementioned meeting. He confirmed he did attend. When asked if his colleagues asked him to resign, he stated “that topic was discussed” and he “did not have a comment.”
KTVZ News will continue to follow this developing story and provide updates if new information becomes available.