Jefferson County sheriff candidate Tyler Anderson lost his law enforcement certifications for life after Oregon's Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) Police Policy Committee voted to revoke them on May 21, 2026. The ruling comes less than a week after the May 19 primary election — and Anderson says he is not backing down.
"I plan to appeal this decision and I'm staying in the race," Anderson said following the hearing.
What the Committee Found
The DPSST Police Policy Committee, a subcommittee that makes recommendations to the agency's 26-member board, voted to revoke Anderson's Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Police certifications — a lifetime ban from Oregon law enforcement.
Anderson was fired from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office in April 2025 after an investigation uncovered a pattern of conduct including omitting a prior firing from his job application. Specifically, he had been let go from a volunteer position with the Parma, Idaho Police Department but did not disclose that termination when he applied to work in Jefferson County in 2014.
"I knew including that information would harm my chances of getting hired," Anderson acknowledged at the hearing.
DPSST investigators also alleged Anderson deleted text message conversations with a confidential informant and, according to Jefferson County Sheriff's Office officials, disclosed to colleagues that he had previously used cocaine and assisted in packaging drugs for a dealer while in college. Anderson disputed the deletion allegation, saying he passed a polygraph on the matter, and said the drug use — cocaine, twice — was "a stupid decision."
Anderson's Defense
At the May 21 hearing, Anderson argued the DPSST investigation was incomplete.
"None of the witnesses, my background investigators or members of the public that we've asked to be interviewed were interviewed," Anderson told the committee. "The investigation led to the point where it seemed like I was being dishonest and stopped."
Committee members responded that they had independently confirmed his employment at the Idaho police department despite Anderson's claim that no record existed.
Brady List and the November Race
Two local district attorneys placed Anderson on a Brady List following his 2025 termination — a roster of officers with documented credibility issues that prosecutors must disclose in court cases.
Under Oregon law, a county sheriff must hold valid law enforcement certification within one year of taking office. If Anderson wins in November and his appeal fails, he would be legally barred from serving. Anderson said he believes the appeal process will vindicate him before any election outcome could take effect.
Incumbent Sheriff Jason Pollock, who has led the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office for several years, will face Anderson in the November 3, 2026 general election. Because only two candidates filed for the race, the sheriff's position did not appear on the May 19 primary ballot.
Final election results for the primary, including remaining mail ballots, are being tabulated through June 9. Voters who wish to contest a signature challenge have until that date to do so. Results will be certified June 25.