Sheriff
Latest Stories
Crime
Umatilla County Sheriff apologizes for DUI arrest, blew twice the legal limit
Gilliam County’s chief prosecutor told OPB that Rowan’s case is “under review" and that the sheriff will be treated as anyone else facing criminal allegations.

Law and Justice
‘Salsa-gate’ lawsuit at Washington County ends with $950,000 settlement for ex-deputy
After reporting a coworker for dishonesty, Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy Melissa Canning claims she was retaliated against in multiple ways, including allegations she stole from a restaurant.

Most Washington state sheriffs say they will follow state’s ‘sanctuary’ law — with a few exceptions
InvestigateWest and Cascade PBS surveyed 39 counties’ chief law officers on how they plan to balance conflicting state and federal laws.

Washington state lawmakers hear public testimony on bill to define the role of sheriff’s ‘posses’
The bill also seeks to standardize eligibility and certification requirements for law enforcement leaders.
Curry County files lawsuit against Sheriff John Ward amid tensions over budget cut
The Southern Oregon county's Board of Commissioners has sued their sheriff in the latest escalation of tensions between the offices.

Clark County council split on how to pay for sheriff department staffing
Less than a month after Vancouver voters turned down a levy to fund city police services, Clark County councilors are trying to solve the same problem. This time, the county is focused on funding the sheriff’s office.

Politics
Law enforcement or soap opera? Race for Deschutes County sheriff keeps voters guessing
The twists and turns of personnel fights inside the office blur the line between law enforcement and soap opera, with candidates for the top job now at the center of a drama fit for television.

In a rural stretch of Washington, a ‘constitutional sheriff’ and his growing volunteer posse provoke controversy
Where some see a “rural neighborhood watch” that saves money, others worry about liability and ties to extremism.

Politics
‘Accidental’ release of records reveals Deschutes County sheriff candidate’s troubles in La Mesa
Records detail "serious incidents of misconduct" long before Kent Vander Kamp rose through the ranks of the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office.

A candidate for Deschutes County sheriff deceived Oregon law enforcement for decades, court records claim
Sgt. Kent Vander Kamp repeatedly deceived Oregon law enforcement agencies about being terminated from a California police department more than 25 years ago, according to court records.