The Importance of Position Protocols
Government position protocols state the responsibilities of a given position and often the means of accomplishing them.  A citizen can compare observed actions of a servant with readily available documented protocols online to determine if the role is being performed according to State prescription.  If not, a citizen can take action to prevent future missteps from occurring. 

Comparing observed servant actions to protocols is a convenient way to identify if they were not aligned with position requirements supplied by the State.  Description of a position’s protocols may be spread across multiple statutes within legislation.  For example, the protocol of an alderperson, police officer, mayor, county executive, and many others, will be spread across more than a dozen Wisconsin statutes.  If one statute doesn’t provide what you want to know, keep searching online or contact a knowledgeable member of the government or office to answer personal questions.

Protocols are defined through a combination of constitutional provisions, statutory laws, executive orders, and administrative regulations.  If all government position holders executed position protocols as they are written, public services would be delivered as the State explains.  Servant actions that do not align with State legislation can be corrected by citizens.

Find Position Protocols Online  –  State of Wisc
State assigned protocols can be reviewed by the public online within State of Wisconsin legislation.  Position descriptions in legislation apply to state, county and local officials and can be found easily using a search bar.  For example, search “Wis Stat Sheriff”.  The result will provide links to multiple State statutes pertaining to the position of a Sheriff in any county of Wisconsin.  

Wisconsin state legislation acts as legally binding standards of conduct for State and local officials.  In addition to the statutes designated to a position, all position holders must account for other impositions upon their role: 

Wis Leg Chap 19 – General Duties of Public Officials
Wis. Stat. § 19.45 Standards of conduct; state public officials  – Ethics Code for Public Officials  
Wis. Stat. § 19.59 Code of Ethics for local government officials, employees and candidates

Oath of Office  – required for all public servants

Accountability/Consequences
A citizen aware of a positions State assigned protocol can readily determine if the present servant is upholding State standards or if missteps are taking place.  Failure to perform position protocols creates evidence citizens can utilize to administer accountability and correction.  To handle an event involving missteps of a public servant, presenting their position protocols serves as facts for immense leverage.  To seek correction, realignment with the State:

– Confronted the official directly for self-correction
– Give notice of error to their superiors
– Find procedures for taking corrective action that exist in State legislation
– Seek administrative procedure and review in Circuit Court
–  Challenge a reelection
– Spread the word locally
– Press charges
– Contact an attorney
– Question a local office if an existing board or commission exists to file a complaint
– Give notice to a related group within that village, city or county designated to handle such matters

Department Internal Directives
Federal and state agencies may disseminate protocols internally referred to as agency-specific directives.  Upper members of State and Federal government branches agree to terms of service during their performances.  Additionally, departments of law enforcers create protocols, possibly titled Policy & Procedures, that employees are obligated to follow while on duty.

Oath of Office
Each elected and hired position performs an Oath of Office that acts as a solemn, binding promise or affirmation, required by law.  Oaths may differ yet generally obligate an official to support the Constitution, perform their duties faithfully while abiding by the law, acting as a public pledge of allegiance and integrity that cannot be violated.

Locate Legal Roles & Ethics for WI Public Servants
Descriptors of Wisconsin public service positions can be readily located in legislation by online searches.  Contact a local office to question staff about roles and responsibilities or search the web for position information located on other government based sites.  

Wisconsin Statutes
Public servant positions within this state are designated statutes that differ; outlining roles of a position and relation to other positions.  Online searches can be directed to WI legislation by searching “Wis Stat (position title)”.  Such as “Wis Stat Sheriff”  Results will include links to WI statutes pertaining to the position title included in the search.

Administrative Code
Administrative Code provides descriptors for organizations within the State such as WI boards, commissions, departments, and other, that explain roles and requirements imposed by the State.

Wisconsin Blue Book
The Wisconsin Blue Book refers to public services within the State from individuals to state wide organizations.  The document also includes the mentality and ambition of state level directors.  “Published to help provide elected officials and the public with information on state officers, government structure and organization, statistics, and important historical topics.”

Ethics Commission
The Ethics Commission serves as a reviewer of public service actions and standards within the state and other affairs.  Residents of the State can interact with the Madison Commission directly to have personal issues addressed.  “The mission of the Ethics Commission is to promote and strengthen the faith and confidence of the people of Wisconsin in their government, support the operation of open and responsible government, preserve the integrity of the governmental decision-making process, and protect the rights of individuals through the administration of Wisconsin’s campaign finance, lobbying, and ethics laws, and through readily available and understandable disclosure of information.​  Wisconsin state ethics laws, primarily under Wisconsin Statutes Subchapter III, Chapter 19, are enforced by the WI Ethics Commission.”