(TILLAMOOK, OR – May 8, 2026) – Tillamook County has concluded its independent investigation into complaints submitted to the county’s Human Resources department by members of the public and county employees regarding the Tillamook County District Attorney’s (DA) office.
It is standard procedure to examine allegations following official complaints filed with the county’s Human Resources department. In total, 7 people submitted formal complaints in September 2025. The complaints focused on concerns about professionalism; prosecution of crimes; treatment of victims, their family members and criminal justice partners within the DA’s office; and interactions between county law enforcement and DA’s office employees.
The investigation was conducted by an independent legal investigator to ensure a thorough and impartial review. Following a comprehensive evaluation, 35 specific concerns were determined to be founded, and 16 specific concerns were determined to be unfounded.
District Attorneys are publicly elected officials of the Oregon Department of Justice, and their roles are not subject to county oversight or policies. DA deputies and office staff, including victim advocates, are county employees, who are managed by the DA. As a result, the investigation was primarily focused on county employee performance, conduct and interactions with victims in the DA’s office. It is the DA’s responsibility to manage these staff and ensure adherence to county HR policies.
While the investigation found no instances of civil or criminal wrongdoing, the county is sharing a brief summary of the 35 complaints that were verified as founded:
- Poor victim and partner agency engagement practices, including not believing victims’ testimony, and hostility toward victims, victim advocates and law enforcement.
- Failing to meet human resources policies and prosecuting best practices, including inadequate training and supervision of Deputy District Attorneys; unwarranted public reprimands of subordinates; and failure to respond to community complaints in a timely manner.
- Deficient charging, preparation and trial practices, including the handling of child abuse and domestic violence cases, resulting in concern for victims and community safety; and failing to present viable cases to grand jury or charge cases.
The report has been shared with DA Olson. The county looks forward to working with the DA’s office to address the concerns identified in the report, including county employee performance and victim assistance and protection.