An Alberta town has laid out rules for how residents must treat municipal staff and the consequences if they step out of line.

Ben Gronberg, a councillor for Devon, Alta., about 25 kilometres southwest of Edmonton, says nothing specific triggered the new code of conduct, which is meant to protect staff from mistreatment and abuse.

Gronberg did, however, say he thinks there's a growing trend across the country for public servants to be yelled at, bullied or harassed by members of the public.

"As a …