The man challenging Jefferson County Sheriff Jason Pollock this fall has had his law enforcement certifications permanently revoked — a significant development in what is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched races on the November ballot.
DPSST Revokes Certifications
On May 21, Oregon's Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) Police Policy Committee voted to permanently strip Tyler Anderson of all law enforcement certifications, a step that would bar him from working as a certified peace officer in Oregon for the rest of his life.
The action traces back to Anderson's termination from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office in early 2025, after roughly a decade with the agency. His termination documents alleged he was "untruthful" on multiple occasions. Anderson was also placed on the Brady List — a database of officers whose credibility has been called into question and who must be disclosed to defense attorneys in cases they were involved in.
Prior to his termination, Anderson was removed from the Central Oregon SWAT team after he allegedly encouraged another officer to break a window on a suspect's vehicle and failed to write his report on the incident. He had also received an economic sanction in April 2024.
Anderson Disputes the Process
Anderson, who filed to run against Pollock after his firing, pushed back on the DPSST proceedings. "None of the witnesses, my background investigators or members of the public that we've asked to be interviewed were interviewed," Anderson told the Police Policy Committee before its vote.
Anderson has maintained that the termination and the subsequent DPSST action were politically motivated and have denied that he engaged in the misconduct alleged in his personnel file.
Still on the November Ballot
Despite the loss of his certifications, Anderson remains a candidate for Jefferson County Sheriff. Oregon law does not require a sheriff candidate to hold law enforcement certifications — sheriffs are elected officials. However, the revocation raises serious legal and operational questions: a sheriff who cannot be certified as a peace officer would face significant constraints in the day-to-day duties of the office.
Incumbent Sheriff Jason Pollock, who fired Anderson and is seeking a second term, has not publicly commented on the DPSST ruling.
The November general election will be the first and only head-to-head contest between the two, as the race bypassed the May primary because only two candidates filed. Jefferson County voters will make the final call this fall.