Jefferson County's November sheriff's race just got more complicated. Oregon's police oversight committee voted on May 21 to strip sheriff candidate Tyler Anderson of his law enforcement certifications, following findings of misconduct and dishonesty — yet Anderson remains on the general election ballot, setting up a high-stakes showdown with incumbent Sheriff Jason Pollock this fall.
What Happened at DPSST
The Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) Police Policy Committee voted to revoke Anderson's law enforcement credentials at a hearing on May 21. The action stemmed from a March 2025 investigation that ultimately led to Anderson's termination from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, where he had worked for a decade before being fired.
The termination papers alleged Anderson was "untruthful" on multiple occasions. The DPSST investigation also found that Anderson had an inappropriate relationship with a purported informant, and that his placement on the Brady List — a list of officers whose credibility issues must be disclosed to prosecutors — had created operational problems for the Jefferson County and Crook County District Attorneys' offices.
At the hearing, Anderson protested the process: "None of the witnesses, my background investigators or members of the public that we've asked to be interviewed were interviewed," he told the committee before the vote was taken. If Anderson wishes to contest the decision, state law allows him to present evidence and witnesses at a subsequent DPSST board review.
Still on the November Ballot
Despite the certification revocation, Anderson advanced to the November general election. In Oregon, only two candidates filed for the Jefferson County Sheriff position — Anderson and incumbent Sheriff Jason Pollock — meaning no primary was necessary. Both candidates automatically advanced to the November 4 general election.
The question of whether a candidate without valid law enforcement certifications can legally serve as a county sheriff if elected is one that county and state legal officials may need to weigh in on as the campaign progresses.
Incumbent Sheriff Jason Pollock
Sheriff Pollock, who is seeking his second term, was the one who fired Anderson following the 2025 investigation. Pollock has served as Jefferson County's top law enforcement official and faces the unusual circumstance of running against a former deputy he terminated.
Pollock has not made extensive public comment on the DPSST ruling, but the certification revocation is widely expected to be a significant factor in the November campaign.
What Voters Should Know
Jefferson County voters will decide this race on November 3, 2026. The sheriff is the county's chief law enforcement officer, overseeing the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, the county jail, and law enforcement services for the unincorporated areas of the county — including Crooked River Ranch, Culver, Metolius, and rural areas throughout the high desert.