Two days after Oregon's primary election, Jefferson County sheriff candidate Tyler Anderson will face a critical state hearing that could determine whether he can legally serve as a law enforcement officer in Oregon.
The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) Police Policy Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, May 21 to take up allegations of misconduct and dishonesty against Anderson, DPSST No. 49648. If the committee finds that Anderson violated board-established moral fitness standards, it will likely recommend the full DPSST Board take action on his law enforcement certifications.
Oregon sheriffs are required to hold a valid DPSST certification. The loss of that credential would effectively disqualify Anderson from serving in the role he is seeking.
The Background
Anderson, who spent a decade with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office including six years on the Central Oregon SWAT team, was fired by Sheriff Jason Pollock in early 2025 following an internal investigation. Termination records allege that Anderson was "untruthful" on multiple occasions.
Specific findings from the investigation include allegations that Anderson had an improper relationship with a confidential informant, omitted information about a prior termination from an Idaho law enforcement agency on employment applications, and failed to disclose alleged past drug use — including cocaine — during college.
Anderson has pushed back on nearly all of the allegations, calling his termination politically motivated. He contends that Pollock targeted him because he did not support the sheriff's 2022 campaign for office.
"When I was in college, I tried cocaine, marijuana, and mushrooms all pretty much in the same month when I first got into college," Anderson told OPB. "I've made mistakes, but I've changed a lot, and nothing I'm being accused of has anything to do with me in the line of duty."
Brady List and DA Action
Following his termination, both the Jefferson County District Attorney's office and the Crook County District Attorney's office added Anderson to their Brady lists — a designation meaning prosecutors will not call on him to testify in criminal cases because of credibility concerns.
Sheriff Pollock, who is seeking re-election to a second term, said in a statement to OPB that the internal investigation was not politically motivated and pointed to findings from a third-party investigator, independent reviews from two district attorneys, and the ongoing state probe as evidence of the process' integrity.
What Happens Next
The May 21 DPSST hearing will take place after ballots in today's primary are already cast — though the sheriff's race, with only two candidates, bypasses the primary and heads directly to the November general election. Voters will have months to weigh the outcome of the state hearing before casting a final ballot in November.
In a comparable case in neighboring Deschutes County in 2024, a DPSST probe led to the resignation of an elected sheriff. The Jefferson County race is being watched closely across Central Oregon.