Opinion ID: 1613382
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: EFFECT OF ENUMERATION OF DEPUTY SHERIFFS IN SECTION 40.02(48)(am), STATS.

Text: [17] We next consider WERC's conclusion that the County's role in classifying jailers as protective occupation participants is ministerial. WERC concluded that jailers could be classified as protective occupation participants simply by being employed in one of the capacities listed in sec. 40.02(48)(am), Stats. Because a jailer may meet the definition of deputy sheriff in sec. 40.02(48)(b)3, Stats., and deputy sheriff is listed in sec. 40.02(48)(am), WERC concluded that whatever role remains for the County to fulfill . . . if . . . jailers are to become protective occupation participants appears to be a ministerial one. [11] We disagree. The listing of deputy sheriff in sec. 48.02(48)(am), Stats., does not automatically confer protective occupation participant status upon jailers. A jailer must also meet the definition of protective occupation participant in sec. 40.02(48)(a), Stats. As we have seen, thirty-four counties have concluded that their jailers meet the definition, while twenty-nine have concluded that their jailers do not. The determination whether a jailer meets the definition of protective occupation participant is not ministerial because the participating employer must determine whether the participant's principal duties involve active law enforcement, frequent exposure to a high degree of danger or peril, and require a high degree of physical conditioning. The determination requires fact finding and the exercise of judgment.