Jefferson County Sheriff candidate Tyler Anderson has lost his law enforcement certifications — for life — after the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training's Police Policy Committee voted on May 21 to recommend permanent revocation of his credentials.
The ruling stems from a March 2025 investigation that led to Anderson's firing from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. The investigation found that Anderson had omitted key employment information on his county job application, including a prior firing from a volunteer position at the Parma, Idaho Police Department.
"I knew including that information would harm my chances of getting hired," Anderson told the committee — an admission that DPSST members said went to the heart of the honesty standards required of Oregon peace officers.
Brady List, Drug Admissions, and Deleted Messages
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and DPSST also allege Anderson deleted text messages between himself and an informant — a charge Anderson denied. He said he passed a polygraph regarding the alleged deletion. Anderson did acknowledge using cocaine twice in college, calling it "a stupid decision," and confirmed he had not disclosed it on his application.
Two local district attorneys had already placed Anderson on a Brady List — a prosecutorial disclosure roster of officers whose credibility may compromise criminal cases in court.
At the May 21 hearing, Anderson pushed back on the process itself. "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. DPSST members said they had independently confirmed his employment at the Idaho police department, contradicting Anderson's claim that no record of it existed.
Anderson Plans Appeal; Oregon Law Adds Complication
Despite the ruling, Anderson says he will appeal the committee's decision to DPSST's full 26-member board and remain on the November general election ballot. The Police Policy Committee's vote is a recommendation; the full board must take final action.
Oregon law, however, presents a significant obstacle: state statute requires that a sheriff hold valid law enforcement certification within one year of taking office. If the full DPSST board upholds the revocation and Anderson were to win in November, he would be legally barred from serving.
The sheriff's race was never on the May 19 primary ballot, as only two candidates filed. Voters in Jefferson County will choose between Anderson and incumbent Sheriff Jason Pollock in the November 3 general election.
Sheriff Pollock, who was appointed to the position in 2022 and elected to a full term, has not commented publicly on the DPSST ruling. His office has said the investigation leading to Anderson's termination was conducted by an independent investigator.
What Comes Next
The full DPSST board is expected to take up Anderson's appeal before the November election. If the board upholds the revocation, Anderson's legal standing as a candidate could face additional scrutiny under ORS 206.015, which governs sheriff qualifications.
Jefferson County voters will want to watch this story closely as it develops. For now, both men remain on the November ballot, and the county's law enforcement future hangs on a contested state proceeding.