With the May 19 primary now one week away, a state review process that could strip Jefferson County sheriff candidate Tyler Anderson of his law enforcement credentials is drawing increased attention — and raising new questions about the race to lead the county's top law enforcement agency.
Oregon's Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) is scheduled to take up misconduct and dishonesty allegations against Anderson later this month, on May 21. The outcome could determine whether Anderson retains the police certification required under state law for anyone serving as sheriff.
A Firing, a Brady Listing, and a Race Against His Former Boss
Anderson was fired from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office last year after spending a decade with the agency. According to termination documents obtained by OPB through a public records request, Anderson was found to have violated office policies in several ways: by allegedly being "untruthful" on multiple occasions, by having an improper relationship with an informant, and by omitting a prior termination from an Idaho police department when he was hired.
He was also found not to have disclosed prior drug use, including cocaine, marijuana, and mushrooms during his first month of college — though Anderson says he never distributed drugs and that the experimentation was brief and long behind him.
"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."
Following his termination, both the Jefferson County and Crook County district attorney's offices added Anderson to their Brady lists — a designation meaning prosecutors will not call on him as a witness in court.
Anderson Says Pollock Targeted Him
Anderson has spent the past year contesting his termination. He alleges that Sheriff Jason Pollock — the incumbent he is now challenging — unfairly targeted him because Anderson did not support Pollock's 2022 campaign for office.
"I want to share with the community the stuff I'm going to do to help them," Anderson said. "And by them seeing my past and seeing what I've been through, I hope it just opens their eyes to things that are happening."
Sheriff Pollock pushed back on that characterization in a statement to OPB: "I do not agree with the characterization that this matter was politically or personally motivated." Pollock cited findings from a third-party investigator, independent reviews by two district attorneys, and the ongoing state probe as evidence of an objective process.
Precedent in Neighboring County
The situation echoes a recent case in neighboring Deschutes County, where a similar DPSST probe led to an elected sheriff's resignation in 2024.
Jefferson County, like many rural Oregon counties, has struggled to recruit and retain law enforcement personnel in recent years. The sheriff's race — originally set for the May primary but moved to the November general election because only two candidates filed — now carries unusual weight given the credential review timeline.
Voters will still see both candidates on this month's nonpartisan primary ballot. The winner of the general election in November will take office in January 2027.
Madras Bulletin will continue to follow the DPSST review process and report on any outcome before the November general election.