In a dramatic development one day after the May 20 primary, a state committee voted Thursday to recommend that Jefferson County Sheriff candidate Tyler Anderson be stripped of his law enforcement certifications for life — a decision that could legally bar him from ever serving as sheriff even if he wins the November election.

The Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) Police Policy Committee met May 21 and voted to recommend the permanent revocation of Anderson's certifications, citing findings of dishonesty, misconduct, and omissions on employment applications.

What the Committee Found

Anderson, a former Jefferson County Sheriff's Office deputy with 17 years in law enforcement, was fired from the agency in April 2025 after an internal investigation uncovered a pattern of alleged ethical violations, including:

  • Omitting prior employment from a volunteer position with the Parma, Idaho Police Department on his Jefferson County job application — a department Anderson said he left out because including it would have harmed his hiring chances
  • Allegedly deleting text message conversations between himself and a confidential informant
  • Disclosing to colleagues that he had previously used cocaine and helped package drugs for a drug dealer while in college

Following his termination, two local district attorneys placed Anderson on a Brady List — a roster of law enforcement officers with documented histories of dishonesty or misconduct, used by prosecutors to flag credibility issues that could jeopardize cases in court.

Anderson Pushes Back

At Thursday's hearing, Anderson challenged the thoroughness of the DPSST 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 omitting the Idaho position from his application but disputed that DPSST could verify his employment there. Committee members responded that they had confirmed his employment at the Parma department.

On the cocaine allegation, Anderson said he used the drug twice and called it "a stupid decision," but denied ever being a drug dealer or purchasing drugs. He said he passed a polygraph related to the question of whether he intentionally hid his Idaho employment.

Anderson denied deleting evidence tied to the informant contact, also pointing to the polygraph result as support.

What Comes Next

The Police Policy Committee is a subcommittee of the 26-member DPSST board; Thursday's vote is a recommendation, not a final order. The full board must act for the revocation to take effect, and Anderson has the right to appeal.

Anderson said he intends to do exactly that and will remain in the race for Jefferson County Sheriff.

However, Oregon state law requires that a serving sheriff hold law enforcement certification within one year of taking office. If Anderson's certifications are ultimately revoked and his appeal fails, he could be legally prohibited from serving even if voters elect him in November.

Incumbent Sheriff Jason Pollock, who fired Anderson last year, is seeking a second term. The two candidates are set to face each other in the November general election, as the sheriff's race did not appear on the May 20 primary ballot — only two candidates filed, bypassing the primary entirely.