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Within the State of Wisconsin there have been numerous situations over the years in which a person, an employee, a county board, or even a State government agency has questioned a Sheriffs authority. In these instances, neither the Wisconsin Constitution nor the statutes clearly defined all of the authority, rights or duties of the office. As a result, various courts have had to review the general context of the litigation and then interpret and define the statutory and/or constitutional language. The Attorney General, in opinions issued by his office, also interprets the same language in an attempt to define the authority and responsibility of the Sheriff.
The most notable and referenced “Sheriff’s Authority” Wisconsin Supreme Court decision is Andreski v. Industrial Commission, 261 Wis. 234 52 N.W. 2nd 135; (1952). In the Andreski case the court was very clear, firm, and definitive when describing the Sheriff’s Authority. The court said:
“Within the field of his responsibility for the maintenance of law and orderthe sheriff today retains his ancient character and is accountable only to the sovereign, the voters of his county, though he may be removed by theGovernor for cause. No other county official supervises his work or canthey require a report or an accounting from him concerning his performance of his duty. He chooses his own ways and means of performing it. He divides his time according to his own judgment of what is necessary and desirable but is always subject to call and is eternally charged with maintaining the peace of the county and the apprehension of those who break it.”
Even though the Andreski court decision was made a half-century ago, it is often referenced in other court, and Attorney General opinions. The Andreski case reinforced the Sheriffs authority by saying “a Sheriffs work, his methods and his hours, are carried out as he sees fit.”
In light of these occasional challenges, Wisconsin Sheriffs place a high priority on maintaining a professional level of service in every field of responsibility. To accomplish this task, Sheriffs realize the importance of team work, cooperation, and coordination. As such, a strong working relationship between Sheriffs and other county officials and agencies result in a high quality of service to the public they serve.
Wisconsin Sheriffs face a wide variety of concerns that even a year ago could not be imagined. New threats to our Nation and our State have Sheriffs planning and preparing for situations they never dreamed of just a few years ago. Continued budget cuts on the state level require each County and Sheriff to look closely at every service and community program that is provided.
Today, the BSSA remains a strong and active association within the State of Wisconsin. Meetings and training sessions are now held quarterly, throughout the state. In February, the BSSA will meet in Madison, WI where the Sheriffs training will focus on State and Federal resources available to assist the Office of Sheriff. For the remainder of the year, the BSSA plans to meet the second week of May, August and December. Each meeting and training session will be designed to help individual Sheriffs serve the citizens they are elected to protect.
The current officers of the BSSA are: President, Sheriff Ronald D. Cramer of Eau Claire County, 1st Vice-President, Sheriff David A. Graves of Walworth County, 2nd Vice-President, Sheriff Steven Michek of Iowa County, Secretary, Sheriff Jeff Rickaby of Florence County, Treasurer, Sheriff David Kaminski of Rusk County.
For all Wisconsin Sheriffs the challenge is always to stay up-to-date, informed, and prepared.
It is my hope that the BSSA can work to expand training and initiate new and up-to-date means of information sharing, like this new Website, so we can work as individual Sheriffs to uphold the tradition, honor, and respect of the Office of Sheriff.
Sheriff Ronald Cramer, President
Badger State Sheriff’s Association
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