Tyler Anderson, the challenger seeking to unseat Jefferson County Sheriff Jason Pollock in this fall's general election, has permanently lost his law enforcement certifications after the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training's Police Policy Committee voted against him on May 21.
The decision means Anderson — who worked as a Jefferson County Sheriff's Office deputy for roughly a decade before being fired — can no longer legally serve as a law enforcement officer in Oregon. He is still legally eligible to run for sheriff, as the office is an elected position, but the ruling raises serious questions about his ability to perform the duties of the job if elected.
Background: Firing, Brady List, and DPSST Review
Anderson was terminated by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, the very agency he now seeks to lead. His termination paperwork, obtained by Oregon Public Broadcasting, alleged Anderson was "untruthful" on multiple occasions. He was also removed from the Central Oregon Response Team after encouraging another officer to break out a window on a suspect vehicle and failing to properly report the incident.
He was subsequently placed on Oregon's Brady List — a registry of law enforcement officers with documented credibility issues whose records must be disclosed to defense attorneys in criminal cases. Earlier this year, DPSST initiated a formal review of his certifications.
At his May 21 hearing before the Police Policy Committee, Anderson argued that key witnesses were not interviewed during the 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 panel nonetheless voted to recommend permanent decertification, and that recommendation was adopted.
Anderson Remains on the November Ballot
Despite losing his certifications, Anderson advanced through the May 20 primary. Because only two candidates filed for the race, the sheriff's contest skipped the primary entirely and proceeds directly to the November general election, where Anderson will face incumbent Sheriff Jason Pollock.
Pollock, who won the sheriff's office in 2022, is seeking his second term. He has the endorsements of Jefferson County District Attorney Steve Leriche and former Sheriff Jim Adkins.
Anderson's decertification is expected to be a central issue in the fall campaign. Whether voters view it as disqualifying — or as a politically motivated action by the agency that fired him — will likely define the race.
What the Decertification Means
Oregon's DPSST certifications are required to make arrests, carry a firearm in a law enforcement capacity, and perform core policing duties. A permanently decertified individual cannot be employed as a law enforcement officer anywhere in Oregon. The sheriff's office is the county's primary law enforcement agency, responsible for patrol, jail operations, and emergency response.
Jefferson County voters will cast their ballots in November. Between now and then, expect this issue to remain front and center.