obeys the rules exactly, even when it would be more sensible not to

"Bureaucrat," unfortunately, has ten letters; I like it otherwise.

Are you sure this isn't one of those "How do you keep a turkey" (or other unflattering designation) "in suspense?" questions?

Edit: How about "automaton"? That'll do nicely. But it needs to have an (n) in the question:
"...is called a(n) _____________"