BEND, OR -- The two men running for Deschutes County Sheriff went head to head Monday night in a forum moderated by KBND's Heather Roberts. Sgt. Kent Vander Kamp and Capt. William Bailey both work for the agency they hope to lead.
They discussed working with the houseless community, drug re-criminalization and lawsuits against the agency. Questions were submitted from the public, with many focused on trust and transparency. Sgt. Vander Kamp says the Sheriff’s Office does a good job reaching out to the community, "Whether it be through our School Resource officer programs, special events, getting out there and just talking to people." Capt. Bailey agrees it’s about relationship-building, especially in areas like Sisters and La Pine, "We have dedicated staff there, where they're getting to know the community and the community's getting to know them. And building those relationships to solve problems and focus on public safety. And then, my goal as Sheriff is to expand that program."
When asked about the top issues facing DCSO, both mentioned employee morale. But they have very different perspectives. Vander Kamp blamed the current administration. "Our culture is very toxic. We’ve had a series of issues over the last many years, where our internal strife has become worse and worse."
Bailey admits communication has broken down, "It has gotten to a really sad state. But, with just as many employees that are frustrated, there are just as many employees that are happy and satisfied, and frustrated with this public attempt to defame our agency." He went on to say morale wasn’t an issue when he first announced his run for sheriff, "And then, a couple of things changed: a second candidate announced their run for Sheriff and that completely changed the dynamics within the facility." Vander Kamp says the agency's culture needs an overhaul, and refused to accept the campaign is to blame, "We need to get back to remembering how to build teams and form teams. We stopped talking, as an agency, internally, a while ago. This didn’t start when I decided to run for sheriff. People are afraid of letting their voices be heard, ask questions."
Monday's event was hosted by the League of Women Voters of Deschutes County and City Club of Central Oregon. View the entire forum HERE.Bailey and Vander Kamp join the KBND Morning News Monday, September 30, for an exclusive Candidate Conversation in the 8 o’clock hour.
