One day after Jefferson County primary voters cast their ballots, the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training's Police Policy Committee voted on May 21 to recommend that sheriff candidate Tyler Anderson be stripped of his law enforcement certifications — for life.

The committee's recommendation, if upheld by the full 26-member DPSST board, would pose a serious legal obstacle to Anderson's campaign. Oregon state law requires that a county sheriff hold valid law enforcement certification within one year of taking office.

Background: Why Anderson Faces Decertification

Anderson, a 17-year law enforcement veteran, was fired from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office in April 2025 following an internal investigation into a series of alleged misconduct issues. According to DPSST records and reporting, those included:

  • Omitting prior employment from a job application — specifically, a previous firing from a volunteer position at the Parma, Idaho Police Department
  • Allegedly deleting text messages between himself and a confidential informant
  • Disclosures to colleagues that he had used cocaine twice and had helped package drugs for a drug dealer during college

Following his termination, both the Jefferson County District Attorney's office and the Crook County District Attorney's office placed Anderson on a Brady List — a roster maintained by prosecutors to flag law enforcement officers whose history of dishonesty or misconduct may undermine their credibility as witnesses in criminal cases.

Anderson's Response at the Hearing

At the May 21 DPSST hearing, Anderson disputed the thoroughness of the state's investigation.

"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."

Anderson acknowledged he had "definitely made mistakes" by omitting things from his job application, but said the Parma, Idaho Police Department had no record of him working there — a claim DPSST committee members disputed, saying the agency had confirmed his employment there independently.

On the drug allegations, Anderson said he used cocaine twice, called it "a stupid decision," and described leaving it off his application as "an oversight."

Anderson also said he had passed a polygraph test related to the allegations about text message deletion and the informant contact.

What Happens Next

The Police Policy Committee's recommendation now goes to the full DPSST board, which is scheduled to make a final decision at its July 21, 2026 meeting. If the board votes to revoke Anderson's credentials and he chooses to appeal, the process could take more than six months.

Anderson vowed to appeal and said the committee vote would not end his campaign.

"We are looking forward to a trial with an administrative judge and feel confident we will win," Anderson said. "This will not affect my campaign for sheriff."

Incumbent Sheriff Jason Pollock and Anderson will appear on the November general election ballot. The legal and regulatory questions surrounding Anderson's certifications are expected to remain a central issue through the fall campaign.