The road to November just got considerably more complicated for Jefferson County Sheriff candidate Tyler Anderson.

On May 21, Oregon’s Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) Police Policy Committee voted to recommend that Anderson’s law enforcement certifications be revoked for life — a development that raises serious legal questions about his ability to serve as sheriff even if voters elect him.

What Oregon Law Requires

Under Oregon state law, a county sheriff must hold a valid law enforcement certification, or obtain recertification, within one year of taking office. Without that credential, Anderson could not legally serve as the county’s top law enforcement officer — even if he wins the November election.

Anderson has said he plans to appeal the committee’s recommendation and remains committed to staying in the race.

“None of the witnesses, my background investigators or members of the public that we’ve asked to be interviewed were interviewed. The investigation led to the point where it seemed like I was being dishonest and stopped.”

— Tyler Anderson, candidate for Jefferson County Sheriff

The Allegations Against Anderson

Anderson was fired from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in April 2025 following a department investigation. Among the allegations:

  • He omitted key employment history — including a prior firing from the Parma, Idaho Police Department — from his job application
  • He allegedly deleted text conversations between himself and a confidential informant
  • He allegedly disclosed to colleagues that he had previously used cocaine and helped package drugs for a dealer while in college

Anderson acknowledged he had omitted items from his application but disputed other allegations. He said he used cocaine twice, calling it “a stupid decision,” but denied being a drug dealer or purchasing drugs.

Following his termination, both the Jefferson County District Attorney and the Crook County District Attorney added Anderson to the Brady List — a roster of officers whose credibility issues may make their testimony inadmissible in criminal cases.

Anderson’s Defense

At the May 21 DPSST hearing, Anderson argued the investigation was incomplete. He said he passed a polygraph regarding one of the key allegations — the omission of his Idaho police work from his application.

“I took a polygraph on what they call deception of hiding my volunteer position off my applications and passed that, showing I did not try to deceive them,” Anderson said.

He added that DPSST staff had confirmed his Idaho employment — contradicting his claim that the department had no record of him working there.

What Happens Next

The Police Policy Committee’s recommendation goes to the full 26-member DPSST board, which will make a final determination. Anderson said his attorneys are confident they can overturn the decision on appeal, and noted that his planned undersheriff could manage the office if certifications were ultimately lost during a legal fight.

Meanwhile, Anderson and incumbent Sheriff Jason Pollock are set to face each other in the November general election. Because only two candidates filed for the position, there was no May primary; both candidates advance automatically.

Pollock has served as Jefferson County Sheriff since winning the primary in 2020. He ran unopposed in the 2022 general election.