Kai Hendry / CC
RHINELANDER, WI (WSAU) – Many sherriffs in central and northern Wisconsin won’t enforce Governor Tony Ever’s statewide mask mandate.
A statement from Oneida County Sheriff Grady Hartman says “this order is in violation of the Constitution which all deputies of Oneida County have sworn an oath to uphold.” A news release said, “If you wish to wear a mask, do so. If you have reasons why you cannot wear a mask, then do not wear a mask,” said the release. Hartman also said many of the exemptions to the mask order involve people with specific medical conditions. He said it is inappropriate for law enforcement to ask questions about those cases.
Vilas County Sheriff Joe Fath told WXPR radio that his agency couldn’t be the “mask police.” He said his department would not use limited law enforcement resources to enforce the governor’s order.
Forest County Sheriff John Dennee added that his deputies will not respond to complaints of mask violations. “I feel that this mandate is not a law enforcement matter, but more of a public health matter. Please do not tie up our emergency phone lines about mask issues unless there are other circumstances that require a law enforcement presence.”
Taylor County Sheriff Larry Woebbeking issued a statement saying that law enforcement has always had discretionary authority in enforcing the law. He said is department “will be exercising that discretionary authority, and will not participate in the enforcement of this latest executive order.”
Lincoln County Sheriff Ken Schneider released a statement saying the Sheriff’s Department won’t be investigating or enforcing the mandate. Schneider does ask residents to respect decisions made by individuals in regards to masks. He says that the department will respond to calls from businesses asking for help to “maintain peace and order”.
Marahon County Sheriff Scott Parks says he is seeking clarification from the Wisconsin Attorney General is to whether the order will be enforced by law enforcement or by the state Department of Health Services. A Facebook post from the Sheriff said, “Please do not call our Communications Center to report mask mandate issues. We have limited resources to handle the call volume for our EMS, Fire and Law Enforcement partners.”
Sheriffs are elected officials in Wisconsin and have broader discretion while enforcing the law. Municipal police departments are accountable to local police commissions, and have less latitude in how laws are enforced. It is also thought that many police chiefs have instructed their officers that violations of the Governor’s mask order are low priorities.
The Governor’s emergency order was announced Thursday, and can stay into effect for up to 60 says. The mask requirement begins at midnight on August 1st and runs through September 28th.
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