Caffeinated Politics

The top of the fold main headline on the January 29, 2026, edition of the Waushara Argus read, “Waushara County Board accepts Executive Summary regarding Harassment/Discrimination investigation.” The months of inside stories and rumors running wild about sexual harassment and a hostile work environment at the Sheriff’s Office have placed this conservative rural county in the eyes of many folks across Wisconsin. The Peyton Place sheen was underscored by the Executive Summary, which stated, “As many of the harassment concerns expressed during this investigation stemmed from consensual relationships between officers, the county may also want to consider implementing an anti-fraternization policy prohibiting romantic relationships between a supervisor and subordinate…”

You think?

It astounds me that such a basic common-sense policy was not already in effect. One does hope all those “consensual relationships between officers” were with unmarried single men and women. None of that gay stuff. Nosiree. You know, because the Republican county has such high conservative standards and resides on such a moral high ground. (Cough. Gag. Cough. Repeat.)

In law‑enforcement agencies—whether a county sheriff’s office or a municipal police department—the integrity of the organization is inseparable from the public’s trust. That trust isn’t built solely on arrests made or cases closed; it’s built on the belief that those in uniform exercise authority fairly, ethically, and without favoritism. This is precisely why anti‑fraternization policies, particularly those prohibiting romantic relationships between supervisors and subordinates, are not just prudent—they’re indispensable.

From a policy perspective and without my partisan snark (which is well-deserved), I am a bit stunned that the Waushara County Sheriff’s Department does not already conduct itself under such restrictions.

A romantic relationship within a chain of command creates an unavoidable conflict of interest. Even if both parties believe they can remain objective, the perception of favoritism can be just as damaging as the reality. Promotions, assignments, discipline, and evaluations are all areas where a supervisor’s judgment must be unimpeachable. When personal relationships blur those lines, the entire agency’s credibility is at risk.

These policies also protect the subordinate. Law enforcement is a profession where power dynamics are deeply embedded. A supervisor’s influence over a subordinate’s career can make genuine consent difficult to assess. What looks voluntary on paper may feel coercive in practice. The reason I have always been in favor of anti-fraternization rules (having been employed in such a workplace) is that it creates a clear boundary that shields employees from subtle pressure and protects the agency from claims of harassment and retaliation.

Beyond internal fairness, the public has a right to expect that law‑enforcement officers operate within a system free from internal corruption or compromised judgment. I trust the Waushara County Board will create and implement a non-fraternization policy that will ensure that every decision—from a routine assignment to a life‑or‑death call—is made without the shadow of personal entanglement.

Taxpayers deserve nothing less.