PHOENIX — Retired Phoenix Police Lieutenant Tyler Kamp brings an accomplished resume and praise from his superiors, as he makes a political run in the race for Maricopa County sheriff.
But Kamp also has an employee harassment claim against him - for which he answered questions about to 12News recently - as he attempts to assure voters he is the right choice to run MCSO.
Working For Anti-Trafficking Organization After Retirement
Like the past two sheriffs, Kamp changed his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat in order to run for office. Kamp beat MCSO Sheriff Russ Skinner in the Democratic primary and is facing off against Republican Jerry Sheridan in the general election.
Kamp said his experience working for an anti-trafficking organization in Ghana taught him to collaborate with governments and nonprofits. Kamp and his wife and children lived in Ghana for nearly a year.
“When you are a guest in someone else’s country, it teaches you to be more empathetic towards what others are going through,” Kamp said.
Kamp worked with authorities to establish a human trafficking task force and coordinate rescue operations.
“We have to work with others. We have to collaborate. That’s the only way we move forward as a community,” Kamp said.
Since returning, Kamp has worked for Goodwill and served as a director for the nonprofit Thrive Service Group.
Employment Record Includes Commendations, Solved Cold Cases
12News reviewed Kamp’s employment record at the Phoenix Police Department.
A graduate of ASU in administration of justice, Kamp rose from the rank of officer to lieutenant during his 22-year career. Along the way he worked as a night gang enforcement sergeant and homicide detective. His assignments included the Mountain View and Maryvale precincts.
Superiors described Kamp a “charismatic, engaging and competent leader” and said he is “a utilitarian employee who adapts to all tasks with ease and who functions with autonomy.” Kamp was named "Employee of the Month" 13 times and the recipient of awards that included a Medal of Valor AZ Gang Investigator award.
Kamp said he understands the stresses involved with law enforcement and proposes a merit-based pay system for deputies. He also wants the county to invest in a walk-in employee wellness clinic.
“It’s a complex job,” Kamp said. “Guys and gals are suffering from PTSD, some are resorting to alcohol to treat symptoms. That’s not helpful. I want a greater focus on mental wellness.”
City Sustains Employee Harassment Complaint Against Kamp
Five months after Kamp retired in 2021, a rookie officer filed a human resources sexual harassment complaint against Kamp.
The officer provided text messages that showed Kamp flirting with the officer, calling her cute, complimenting her physical features, and asking her out.
The investigation concluded Kamp violated the department’s sexual harassment policy. The January 2023 report also states the complainant did not sign the “complaint form” after follow-up interviews.
“I did exchange text messages with a co-worker that were mutual. Some were not respectful to my wife and my wife and I dealt with that years ago. But it’s important to look at the body of my career,” Kamp told 12News.
12News asked Kamp why he considered the officer a “co-worker” instead of a subordinate. At the time of the alleged harassment, Kamp was a lieutenant.
“She was a co-worker when these text messages were exchanged, these mutual text messages. She was not working under my chain of command,” Kamp said.
The city report also states Kamp denied sending the text messages. 12News asked Kamp if he was truthful to investigators. Kamp said he did not remember sending the messages.
“It’s important to understand this investigation was not completed. It was an incomplete investigation. There was never a review process. There was never any discipline associated with this investigation,” Kamp said.
Kamp’s employee history also showed in 2012 a disciplinary action for inappropriately using a police database – leading to a one-day suspension. Kamp was also reprimanded for driving a city vehicle on personal time.
“Those were mistakes I made. I learned from them,” Kamp said. “When I think back what was going on in the Valley at the time, that was at the height of these roundups, the Jerry and Joe Show, which we are now having to pay more than $300 million for in this court order.”
Disciplinary Backlog and Immigration Enforcement
The Melendres Civil Rights case led to an exhaustive slate of court-ordered reforms that continue costing the county.
The reforms resulted from a federal judge ruling in 2013 that the sheriff's office overstepped its authority to enforce federal immigration law and racially profiled drivers. Joe Arpaio was sheriff at this time and Sheridan was a chief deputy in charge of all operations.
The class-action lawsuit also revealed evidence of dysfunction in the sheriff’s office.
Kamp said his experience investigating cold cases and homicides taught him time management and leadership skills he will use to address the court and reduce a backlog of internal affairs cases.
Regarding immigration, Kamp said it is up to the state legislature to shape immigration policies.
“I’m a big believer you stay in your lane. I enforce the laws, not create the laws,” Kamp said.