Capt. William Bailey, left, and Sgt. Kent Vander Kamp, both of the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, are running for sheriff.

We aren’t endorsing in the race for Deschutes County Sheriff, or any race — a policy of The Bulletin’s owners. But we do want to offer something that may help make up your mind: The candidate’s words.

We pulled from their debate for the League of Women Voters of Deschutes County and tried to keep their responses of roughly equal length. We focused on matters where it appears to us there are greater differences between them.

Capt. William Bailey, who oversees the patrol division at the sheriff’s office, is running against Sgt. Kent Vander Kamp, who has worked in the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement team.

Sheriff Shane Nelson is stepping down and endorsed Bailey. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Employee Association endorsed Vander Kamp. They both have other endorsements. Bailey and Vander Kamp have both worked for the sheriff’s office for about 20 years.

Expertise and training for the jobBailey: “I spent the last 24 years learning about the sheriff’s office, starting out as a volunteer, donating my time to the citizens of Deschutes County, and transitioned into a full-time paid position where I have literally held every rank within the sheriff’s office…. Every one of those positions you learn more about the office.. I participated in the development of our sheriff’s office budget for the last three years. I am involved in hiring personnel. One of the roles a captain serves as is also the accountability agent. So at times I do have to hold people accountable.”

Vander Kamp: “Prior to my government experience I owned and operated and funded several companies mainly in the real estate world, developing two of those companies, selling them off to the equity markets for profit. I have an MBA in both government affairs and economics. I also have a bachelor’s degree in business management. I have been around money most of my career, made a living before I was in law enforcement doing that. I have also mentored and taught several others in the world of budgeting and accountability and economics.”

Culture and morale in the sheriff’s officeBailey: “A year ago when I announced my candidacy, morale and culture were not an issue….The sheriff’s office was as good as it has ever been in the 24 years that I have been there. And then a couple things changed: A second candidate announced their run for sheriff and that completely changed the dynamics within the facility…. That is a pressing issue for our office that we will have to work through…. I think I was the first to say communication in our office broke down a while ago and now you can’t even talk to each other or someone will file a complaint.”

Vander Kamp: “Our culture (referring to the sheriff’s office) is very toxic. We have had a series of issues over the last many years where our internal strife has become worse and worse. And now we are to the point where our office is trying to find a better way to function and operate. They (the union) came forward … and recognized me as that person by endorsing me…, recognizing that I would bring that leadership to them….We stopped talking I think internally as an agency a while ago. This isn’t something that just happened when I decided to run for sheriff.”

Summing upBailey: “I think the people deserve a sheriff who is ready on day one. I think they deserve a sheriff focused on public safety and the job of being the sheriff. They deserve a sheriff that is honest and transparent, not only about what happens in the future but also the past. …. The sheriff runs the jail…. I’ve worked in the jail for over six years and I am the only candidate that has that experience.

Vander Kamp: “I have been preparing for this position for many years…. Today my opponent wants to separate himself from the current administration, but let’s not forget that he is part of the current administration. And he is one of the architects of the agency’s failures for the last few years.”