The Jefferson County Sheriff’s race took another significant turn on May 21 when a Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) committee recommended that challenger Tyler Anderson be stripped of his police certifications.
The committee’s recommendation came following a hearing on Anderson’s conduct, which traces back to a March 2025 investigation that also led to his firing from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Anderson had previously been placed on the Brady List — a disclosure list of law enforcement officers whose credibility has been called into question in criminal proceedings.
What Happened at the Hearing
During the May 21 hearing, Anderson disputed the process, telling the committee that DPSST’s investigation had not been complete. He also addressed discrepancies in his employment history filings, saying he did not intentionally omit prior employment with the City of Parma Police Department from his applications.
“I don’t know why I left it off… I wasn’t trying to hide anything,” Anderson said, according to hearing documents. “He was not trying to omit that from his application, and he has never listed his employment with City of Parma Police Department on any application he has filled out.”
Anderson holds Basic, Intermediate, and Supervisory Corrections and Police certifications from DPSST. The committee’s recommendation is not a final ruling — the full DPSST board must make the final determination on whether his certifications are permanently revoked.
What This Means for the Race
Under Oregon law (ORS 206.015), candidates for county sheriff must hold valid law enforcement credentials. If the DPSST board moves forward with revocation before the November general election, Anderson could potentially be disqualified from the race. The legal and procedural implications are still unfolding.
Incumbent Sheriff Jason Pollock has served as Jefferson County Sheriff since June 2022. Both Pollock and Anderson will appear on the November ballot absent further disqualification proceedings.
Jefferson County voters and legal observers will be watching closely as the DPSST full board takes up the matter. The Madras Bulletin will continue to follow this story as it develops.