Meet

Ryan Kaber

About Ryan

“A leader’s job is to look into the future and to see the organization not as it is. But as it can become.” –Unknown

I was born and raised in Klamath County as the son of law enforcement professionals. Taught to serve others, I enlisted in ​the U.S. Coast Guard for 8-years. I continued my military career and am currently serving in the Oregon Air National Guard. ​My wife and I chose Klamath Falls to raise our family and I have been working for the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office since ​2008. This has allowed me to serve my community and continue to do my part in ensuring Klamath County remains an ideal ​place to raise a family.

During my law enforcement career I have been fortunate to serve as a Patrol Deputy, School Resource Officer, Field ​Training Officer and Coordinator, Patrol Sergeant, Detective Sergeant and as a K9 Handler. Believing that we should never ​quit learning, I went back to school in 2015 and graduated from Colorado Christian University with a Bachelor’s in Criminal ​Justice and from Corban University with a Master’s in Public Safety Administration.

The future is incredibly bright for Klamath County. The upcoming decisions we make as a community, and require of our ​leaders, will have a very real impact on our future. As the Sheriff, we will focus on re-legitimizing the Klamath County ​Sheriff’s Office, validating all persons and focusing on the future. Please partner with us in taking Klamath County to what ​we can become.

Military Background

TSgt Ryan Kaber is a Security Forces member assigned to the 173rd Security Forces ​Squadron, Kingsley Field Oregon. He is a Drill Status Guardsman assigned to Training and ​assists in developing and implementing the training program on aspects of Installation ​Security and Resource Protection.

Sgt Kaber grew up in Oregon and graduated in 1999. After graduation, TSgt Kaber began ​his military career by enlisting in the United States Coast Guard. Upon completion of Basic ​Training at USCG Training Center Cape May, N.J. he attended the Electronics Technician ​Apprenticeship School at USCG TRACEN Petaluma, Calif. Graduating as an Electronics ​Technician Third Class he was assigned to his first operational duty aboard the USCG ​Cutter Spencer WMEC-905 in Boston, Mass. While aboard the USCGC Spencer from 2000 ​to 2004, he was deployed much of the time while conducting operations in the North ​Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea in support of Operations ​ENDURING FREEDOM and NOBLE EAGLE. In 2004, he was assigned to USCG TRACEN ​Yorktown, Va. and retrained as a Boatswain’s Mate Third Class. From there he was ​transferred to USCG Station Quillayute River, Wash. from 2004 through 2007 and entered ​the Surfman Apprentice Program. He was trained and qualified as a Coxswain on the 47’ ​Motor Lifeboat, 25’ SAFE Boat, 16’ River Skiff and upgrade trained as a Boarding Officer. ​TSgt Kaber conducted Search and Rescue and Law Enforcement missions covering the ​1,750 square mile Area-of-Responsibility. Duties included SAR, Fisheries and Maritime Law ​Enforcement as well as training members. In 2007, TSgt Kaber left the USCG to pursue a ​career in civilian law enforcement. In 2008 he was hired by the Klamath County Sheriff’s ​Office, Klamath Falls, Ore. In 2012 he enlisted in the Oregon Air National Guard with a ​desire to continue his military career while simultaneously helping the local and national ​community. TSgt Kaber chose Security Forces because of the relational duties to his ​civilian career. In 2018, TSgt Kaber graduated Magna Cum Laude from Colorado Christian ​University with a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice. In 2022, he graduated from Corban ​University with a Master’s in Public Safety Administration. Prior to his current position, ​TSgt Kaber was a Fireteam Leader for the 173rd Security Forces Squadron. As a Fireteam ​Leader he was responsible for supervising and training on all aspects of Installation ​Security and Resource Protection.

MY TOP 3 PRIORITIES AS

KLAMATH COUNTY ​SHERIFF

24 Hour Patrol Coverage:

The Klamath County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), and ​another candidate for Sheriff who has aligned himself with the BOCC, ​believe the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office currently has the staffing ​levels to conduct 24-Hour Patrol Coverage. The Klamath County Sheriff’s ​Office, through the Sheriff, holds the definitive position that we do not ​have the staffing levels to perform 24-Hour Patrol Coverage. Repeated ​requests for additional positions to fulfill this vital objective have been ​denied by the BOCC for years.

The truth is that not only do our staffing levels not support this level of ​coverage, but current staffing levels must take into consideration injury, ​illness, vacation, retirement, transfer and more (See Attrition). Efforts to ​staff the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office in the furtherance of an ​ultimate goal to provide 24-Hour Patrol Coverage have been denied by ​the BOCC. What was previously believed to be a budgetary necessity, ​now appears to be an intentional weakening of the Klamath County ​Sheriff’s Office, at the expense of the public no less, in furtherance of an ​ulterior motive (See Urban Growth Boundary).

FAQ’S

Administrative Leave:

In the post-George Floyd era of policing, legislatures all over the country rushed to create laws that ​were well-intentioned but often ill-informed and poorly worded. Oregon was no exception. The law ​requiring law enforcement officers to intervene was passed. Commonly referred to as the Duty to ​Intervene, Oregon Revised Statute 181A.681 Report of Misconduct or Violation of Minimum ​Standards states in substance that if an officer witnesses or believes another officer engaged in ​conduct which constitutes a misuse of force, and does not intervene, the witnessing officer may also ​be charged alongside the responsible officer.

In June 2023, I was placed on Administrative Leave as a result of an uncorroborated claim by an ​uninvolved and non-present deputy that I committed a crime while in the course of my lawful duties ​which occurred weeks prior. The allegation was that I falsified the probable cause for a stop, ​pursued, apprehend via K9 and subsequently arrested a person whom fled by vehicle and then ​refused to exit upon command. The accuser bypassed chain-of-command, which is outlined in ​Oregon law and applicable policy, and made their claim to the Klamath County Board of County ​Commissioners (BOCC). The timing is incredibly suspicious in and of itself, and constitutes highly ​unusual behavior from the accuser and the BOCC given the circumstances (See Media Link below). ​https://www.mybasin.com/2023/12/16/legal-opinion-on-ethics-case-points-finger-at-​commissioners/

The investigation into my actions was turned over to an out-of-county agency who did not interview ​me until five months later. To my knowledge, the investigating agency has concluded their ​investigation though when asked, will not provide their decision or when one ought to be expected.

Unlike some others, I am on Administrative Leave through no choice of my own and have desired for ​months to be working. I have long stated that in this profession if we cannot adequately police ​ourselves then we have no business stating we are qualified to police anyone else. I am not against ​checks-and-balances on government actions. I do take offense to the willful and calculated misuse ​of the criminal justice system, taxpayer funds, and community trust in the furtherance of a quid pro ​quo political agenda.

FAQ’S

Attrition:

The Klamath County Sheriff’s Office is fighting two proverbial wars simultaneously. One is the ​Great Wage War, labeled by many in the profession as a means to explain the shifting ​workforce from employer-to-employer in search of higher pay and benefits. The second is the ​War of Attrition, wherein we lose talented and well-trained deputies to retirements, injuries, ​leave or for other reasons.

Another candidate for Sheriff claims to have confirmation from several former deputies that if ​he were elected they would return. He will not tell you their names and he cannot guarantee ​they will pass a background investigation. He also claims people do not leave bad jobs, only ​bad leadership. But takes no responsibility for being principal in causing many of the issues for ​years. In 2015, this same candidate for Sheriff organized an employee walkout during which ​several deputies left their posts over concerns that the then Sheriff may retaliate. A strike by ​any other definition, the walkout was short-lived and poorly received by the community. I ​refused to walkout, believing then and still today, that the oath I swore means more than ​political ideology. This candidate for Sheriff has been actively trying to get me fired ever since.

Attrition is real and I believe that behind the uniform of every deputy, employee and volunteer ​of the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office is a real person with real ambitions, a mortgage, a ​spouse, children and a dream of serving. Dismissing or diluting a person’s reasons for ​voluntarily leaving the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office to an unsubstantiated claim of ​leadership concerns is disingenuous and ignorant of facts.

FAQ’S

Illegal Marijuana Grows:

I had the honor of serving as the Detective Sergeant from 2020 – 2023. ​During that time the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office received a Grant to ​investigate and prosecute the illegal manufacturing of marijuana. A ​detective was assigned to investigate, gather intelligence, apply for search ​warrants, eradicate and present for prosecution all instances of this crime. It ​is my desire to continue this practice and to eliminate all illegal ​manufacturing of marijuana, subsequent water theft and land misuse. The ​Klamath County Sheriff’s Office has proactively worked to educate ​landowners through mailers, media releases and social media updates. With ​the amount of information available to landowners, those seeking to grow ​marijuana legally, or even the manufacture of hemp, there is nearly no ​reasonable excuse to claim ignorance of the law.

FAQ’S

Lawsuit/Tort

A Tort Claim is a common first-step action before filing a lawsuit. The law places time limitations on ​when an injured party may file a Tort, after which information sought to substantiate a claim may be ​lost and unrecoverable.

Information on why the Tort was filed was accurately reported by reporter, Molly O’Brien in her ​article published in the Herald and News article on January 5, 2024. In an interview with Chris ​German of KAGO News and My Basin that aired on February 9, 2024. I was asked about the filing of a ​Tort. (See Media Links below.)

It would be inappropriate for me to discuss the details of the Tort at this moment. However, in the ​months leading up to the filing of the Tort, the Klamath County Board of County Commissioners ​(BOCC) through the Klamath County Human Resources Department (HR) all but refused to answer ​questions, emails, phone calls, attempts at mediation or in-person meetings. Lawsuits and other ​legal actions appears to be the only language the BOCC speaks. While I did not, and do not, desire to ​become proficient in this language, the filing of the Tort has become the only dialect with which the ​BOCC and the HR have answered. I am not at this point willing to forgo the only instrument which ​compels my elected officials and members of their directed departments to speak with me.

Media Links

· Herald and News

o https://www.heraldandnews.com/news/klamath-county-sgt-ryan-kaber-serves-board-of-county-​commissioners-with-tort-claim-notice/article_39b175ca-ab6b-11ee-a56c-3745033ed08e.html

· KAGO

o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kCK5i08B2E

FAQ’S

Nepotism:

This is a strong word that evokes equally strong opinions. The mere accusation of ​nepotism when used by those with political motivations and directed at their ​opponents, is most assuredly done with malicious intent. Knowingly false in its ​application, the word is chosen by those desiring dissention because it elicits a ​passionate response.

Accusations of nepotism involving Sheriff Chris Kaber, Deputy Erick Kaber and ​myself are incredibly misleading. There has always been systems and processes in ​place, in accordance with the law and policies, to ensure that favoritism was not and ​is not being practiced.

What has proven effective are false accusations from those with self-serving ​motivations. By making baseless claims, these false accusations produce time-​consuming investigations, create office and community dissention, and ultimately ​character assassination. In a tactic as old as time these actors created the problem ​and are now offering their ideas as the only viable solution.

My brother is his own man and should be asked for his opinion. It is my opinion that ​he has been attacked by enemies of the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office and of ​Sheriff Chris Kaber for years. Concerns of nepotism if I were the Sheriff can be laid to ​rest because my brother will leave. He should not have to, but will do so to alleviate ​concerns and unnecessary distractions.

FAQ’S

Resident Deputies:

I do believe this is an answer for some, though not all of rural Klamath County. Ideally, North ​County which encompasses locations north of the Highway 138 and Highway 97 junction such ​as Diamond Lake Junction, Beaver Marsh, Crescent Lake Junction, Crescent, Gilchrist and La ​Pine would be much better served by a fully staffed substation. Whereas by contrast East ​County may be better served by one or two Resident Deputies. We are currently blessed to ​have a Resident Deputy in North County and are trying to hire another. I have long thought a ​staffed substation with a Sergeant and several deputies, to include other services such as ​Concealed Handgun Licenses and Civil Process would be best in North County. In the interim, ​Resident Deputies are the answer. Residents in those areas should be consulted as no one ​should assume their needs or make decisions without their input.

Being a Resident Deputy is difficult and the draw to this type of policing is not what it once ​was. It can be difficult on the family of the deputy with the limitations on schools, shopping, ​employment opportunities for a spouse, access to medical care, home affordability and more. ​Resident Deputies must be from the corps of our most capable and experienced deputies in ​order to be successful. I am not a proponent of setting-up people for failure, nor do I believe in ​appointing someone in the hopes they will rise to the occasion. Selection is crucial and I much ​prefer a deputy who meets the needed criteria and wants the position over that of someone ​who meets the criteria but is assigned. The work of a Resident Deputy is hard work, often ​lonely work, and with backup sometimes over an hour away. In a profession which has become ​increasingly more dangerous and litigious, one must know they have the full support of the ​community and their office to be effective and successful.

FAQ’S

UGB:

The dissention between the Klamath County Board of County Commissioners ​(BOCC) and the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office began in mid-2023 when the ​Sheriff became aware that the BOCC was having closed door meetings and ​exploring a contract for the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) with the Klamath ​Falls Police Department (KFPD). Led by Commissioner Dave Henslee, the retired ​Chief of Police for the City of Klamath Falls, the BOCC began the process to ​contract with the KFPD for approximately $1.8 million annually. Where the ​money would come from was never explained by the BOCC. The Sheriff was ​never consulted nor invited to the meetings and when the Sheriff made this ​information available to the public the political and personal attacks ​commenced.

I believe any attempts to instill the KFPD in the UGB is done so with a foot-in-​the-door agenda towards annexation. I also believe there are no benefits to ​contracting with another law enforcement agency to perform the police services ​in the UGB which is professionally done by the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office ​and for less money. If the $1.8 million were added to the budget of the Klamath ​County Sheriff’s Office, an additional fourteen Patrol Deputies could be hired ​and 24-Hour Patrol Coverage would be instituted county wide (See 24-Hour ​Patrol Coverage).

While there are some benefits to annexation, there are also reasons to avoid it. ​All options need to be explored, openly discussed and voted upon. I believe it ​should be left to the people to decide, especially those most affected, and not ​up to the political motivations of a select and unaffected few.

FAQ’S

Community Trust – Through the continued ​pursuit of honesty and transparency, ​Community Trust is placed in the elected ​Sheriff and the Klamath County Sheriff’s ​Office. Essential to the efficacy of the ​other priorities, without trust our efforts ​will not meet the intended result. I will ​attend community meetings where invited ​and will always offer an explanation on my ​actions and those of the office; even if the ​truth is not always favorable.

Procedural Justice – This priority ​encompasses the fairness and ​transparency components of a decision. ​There are four tenets of Procedural ​Justice: Voice, Neutrality, Respectful ​Treatment and Trustworthiness. Justice, ​either through Distributive or Retributive ​models, requires the timely gathering of all ​available information before rendering a ​decision. Legitimacy of the profession and ​the organization are directly related to the ​proper application of Procedural Justice.

Organizational Legitimization –Through the ​tenets of Procedural Justice and the continued ​building of Community Trust, the Organizational ​Legitimization of the Klamath County Sheriff’s ​Office will be strengthened. Law enforcement, ​done correctly, is an indispensable pillar of a ​healthy society. The Klamath County Sheriff’s ​Office has the unique privilege of providing a ​robust number of services for Klamath County. To ​ensure Klamath County remains the ideal place to ​live, Organizational Legitimization must be the ​foundation of the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office.

Why I want to be YOUR Sheriff

Endorsed by

Current Klamath County Sheriff Chris Kaber