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About
Kent and Rachel, his wife of 26 years, have been living in Bend since 2002, where they have raised their two daughters. Today Rachel is a high school Spanish teacher in Bend, and their daughters are pursuing their careers as young adults.
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Kent Vander Kamp started his career 20 years ago with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office as a Search & Rescue volunteer medic and pilot. He was hired as a Seasonal Special Services Reserve Deputy in 2006 and then as a Patrol Deputy in 2008. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2017 and to Detective Sergeant in 2019.
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Kent currently leads the field operations of Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team, a multi-agency and multi-jurisdictional drug enforcement task force, as a Detective Sergeant. In addition to CODE, Kent also leads a statewide non-profit drug diversion and education program raising awareness and educating youth and adults to prevent substance misuse, impaired driving, and to promote mental health and wellness.
Before his law enforcement career, Kent developed a mortgage and real estate company with offices in Bend, California, and Tennessee. After 26 years, he remains the CEO and President. In addition to the financial industry, Kent was the Executive Managing Member of Full Card Interactive, a mobile social media capital investment firm for Buffalo Studios, before the company was acquired in 2017.
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​Kent earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management and a Master of Business Management (MBA) with an emphasis in Public Administration, cum laude. Kent also attended the USC Executive Leadership Institute, the FBI - LEEDA Executive, Command & Supervision Leadership Institutes, the ETHOS Leadership Academy, and the Oregon State Sheriff's Association Command College to supplement his formal education.
Kent holds Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, and Supervisory law enforcement certificates from the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training.
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He served as a Criminal, Street Crimes, Major Crimes, and CODE Detective. He has further filled the positions of Patrol Sergeant, Detective Sergeant. Kent also serves as the CODE Team Public Information Officer (PIO) and regularly conducts public presentations and training.
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Kent also holds a diverse number of special assignments. He supervises the DCSO SWAT Medical Team and the Drone program and is a Drug Recognition Expert. Kent served as a Field Training Officer, Background Investigator, Internal Affairs Investigator, and Search and Rescue Volunteer. He is a nationally certified and state-licensed EMT.
Kent has over 2000 hours teaching new Deputies and young law enforcement leaders throughout Oregon, in the areas of tactical medicine, Active Shooter Casualty Care, Drug Recognition Expert School, Recognizing and Managing Abnormal Breathing, Driving While Impaired Investigations (DUII) and advanced narcotic investigations.
In addition to teaching, Kent continues to professionally develop himself and currently has over 3,400 of training hours encompassing law enforcement, leadership, management and professional in-service.
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Kent has been recognized and awarded as a Cascade Business News's "Top 40 under 40" leadership award, the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Award, the White House ONDCP Award for Outstanding Public Safety - CLEAR Alliance - Board Member At-Large, Mothers Against Drunk Driving recognition, the Oregon HIDTA Award for Outstanding Investigation Impact by a CODE Investigation, and the Deschutes County DUII Investigator of the Year.
​Community engagement and volunteerism, a commitment to excellence, and being the best public servant to his community have been the foundation for Kent's leadership style and career. He is highly passionate about our community and improving the quality of life for others.
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Kent currently serves as the Chairman of the Board at CLEAR Alliance, a local impaired driving and drug educational non-profit. He is a volunteer pilot with Angel Flight West, a Redmond Area Community Coalition member, a Liaison for the Central Oregon Overdose Prevention Response Coalition, a Youth Mentor with the Oregon National Guard Youth Challenge program, and an appointed member of the Deschutes County Facility Project Review Committee. Kent also volunteers with the Latin Community Association and is also an active Rotary Club of Greater Bend member.
How I Volunteer & Support My Community
CLEAR Alliance
As a volunteer Board Member and instructor, I enjoy raising awareness and educating youth and adults to prevent substance abuse and impaired driving through this superb non-profit organization based in central Oregon. As a Board Member, I bring outside experience and perspectives from my extensive corporate leadership. During my tenure, Clear Alliance expanded nationwide, enhanced grant funding, and expanded its staffing.
Angel Flight West
As a Pilot , I volunteer for this amazing non-profit organization providing free air transportation for any legitimate, charitable, medically related need. This service is available to individuals and to health care organizations. Transportation is arranged for individuals who are financially distressed, or who are in a time-critical, non-emergency situation due to their medical condition.
Latino Community Association
Kent isn't just an ordinary tutor; he's a leader dedicated to creating new leaders. Kent's efforts are crucial, and leaders like him play a vital role in our communities. To begin with, Kent Vander Kamp volunteers his off-duty and personal time to help people prepare for the U.S. citizenship test at the Latino Community Association. This test is a key to unlocking the door to full-fledged citizenship in the United States. Recognizing the potential difficulty of the test, especially for newcomers, Kent steps in to offer a helping hand.
Rotary Club of Greater Bend
Kent is a proud member of the Rotary Club of Greater Bend. Rotary International is a global humanitarian service organization that brings together central Oregon businesses, community leaders, and professional leaders to provide community service, promote integrity, and advance good will and peace, as well as provide solutions to real problems with an amazing group of committed visionaries.