The Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training's Police Policy Committee voted on May 21 to recommend that Jefferson County sheriff candidate Tyler Anderson have his law enforcement certifications permanently revoked — a decision that could legally bar him from serving as sheriff if voters elect him in November.

What the Committee Found

Anderson, a 17-year law enforcement veteran who was fired from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office in April 2025, faced scrutiny over a series of alleged misconduct issues, including:

  • Omitting a prior termination from a volunteer position at the Parma, Idaho Police Department on his Jefferson County job application
  • Allegedly deleting text conversations with a confidential informant
  • Alleged disclosure to colleagues of past cocaine use and claims he had helped package drugs for a dealer while in college

Following his termination, two local district attorneys placed Anderson on a so-called Brady List — a roster of officers with documented histories of dishonesty or misconduct whose credibility as witnesses could be called into question in court.

Anderson's Defense

At the May 21 hearing, Anderson disputed the thoroughness of the DPSST investigation. "None of the witnesses, my background investigators or members of the public that we've asked to be interviewed were interviewed," he told the committee.

He acknowledged omitting the Idaho position from his application but said the department lacked records of his service there. He also denied deleting evidence and said he passed a polygraph regarding whether he tried to hide the Idaho job. On cocaine use, Anderson admitted to using the drug twice, calling it "a stupid decision."

DPSST committee members said they had independently confirmed his employment at the Idaho department.

What It Means for the Sheriff's Race

The committee's recommendation must still go before the full 26-member DPSST board before it becomes final. Anderson has said he will appeal.

Oregon law requires that anyone elected as sheriff must hold — or obtain — law enforcement certification within one year of taking office. If Anderson's revocation is upheld through the appeal process, he would be legally ineligible to serve even if voters choose him in November.

Anderson has made clear he intends to press forward, maintaining his candidacy against incumbent Sheriff Jason Pollock in the November general election.