Wikipedia:Functionaries

A wikipedia functionary is a administrator that holds acceptable status and access within the wikipedia community. Examples are users with oversight or checkuser access, bureaucrats, members of the mediation committee, members of the arbitration committee, members of the bot approvals group and other leaders of the community.

A wikipedia functionary is held to a higher standard of behavior than a normal user, especially in the areas related to their function. If a functionary shows lack of judgment in the area related to the function they hold, even if they don't abuse their tools or status as a functionary, their status as a functionary may be revoked. An example would be a member of WP:BAG using automated tools on their main account without telling anyone. Although that user didn't misuse any administrative tools, their behavior is a clear indicator that they are unfit to serve on the bot approvals group. Another example would be an admin with checkuser access who violates a user's privacy, but doesn't abuse checkuser or any other admin tool in any way.

A wikipedia functionary, as a community leader, may be open to community recall if they are repeatedly involved in controversy. The reason for this is because the leaders of the community are the face of wikipedia to the editors, and to the wider world, and if these users are repeatedly embroiled in controversy, it's damaging to the integrity of the encyclopedia as a whole.