Deschutes County Sheriff Kent van der Kamp is under review by Oregon public safety regulators, as complaints have been filed accusing him of violating moral fitness standards. The state Department of Public Safety Standards and Training is reviewing his certifications as a law enforcement officer, which could potentially jeopardize his job as sheriff. It is required by state law that a person holding the office of sheriff be certified as a police officer within one year of taking office.
The complaints against van der Kamp were filed by Mandi Puckett, who accused him of dishonesty, retaliation, and other ethical violations. These complaints first surfaced during the 2024 election cycle, with van der Kamp ultimately winning despite the allegations. His past includes a stint as a volunteer reserve police officer in La Mesa, California, which he failed to disclose when applying to be a deputy in Oregon in 2008. Records from La Mesa revealed recommendations for his dismissal due to “serious misconduct” on the job.
Van der Kamp is currently awaiting updates on the DPSST investigation and remains focused on his duties as sheriff. The agency has forwarded the complaints to him for mitigation or rebuttal, with a decision on further investigation expected at the agency’s policy committee meeting scheduled for May 22.
While it is rare for a sheriff to be removed from office due to losing their police certification, there are ongoing discussions in Washington state about making it mandatory for sheriffs to hold certification to remain in office. The situation involving van der Kamp highlights the importance of public trust in law enforcement officials and the need for transparency in such matters.
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