Are you listening, Sheriff Clarke?

No individual, including an elected law enforcement officer, may ignore an order issued by an entity with the apparent authority to make such orders, simply because he or she disagrees with the order.

That paragraph in a State Appeals Court ruling Tuesday was aimed squarely at Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke.

You wouldn't think a court would have to tell a sworn law enforcement officer that he is not above the law.

But Clarke needs frequent reminders.

The latest decision, which told Clarke he cannot ignore the orders of the county's Personnel Commission, is just another in a series of legal setbacks for Clarke.

Clarke is of the belief that since he is elected -- a constitutional officer, he likes to say -- he is responsible only to the people and no one can tell him what to do. Not the County Board, the County Executive, the Personnel Commission, or anyone else.

Except the courts, which is where he finds himself more and more frequently as the deputy sheriff's union challenges his arbitrary promotion and discipline policies. And Clarke loses in the courts time after time.

Clarke could save everyone involved a lot of time -- and the county a lot of legal fees -- if he'd just obey the law. That doesn't seem like too much to ask of someone who's sworn to uphold it.