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California lawmakers introduced a new bill on June 16 that would ban law enforcement officers from covering their faces during public interactions. The legislation comes in response to recent federal immigration raids involving masked agents, which have triggered widespread public protests.
The bill, dubbed the “No Secret Police Act,” would establish criminal penalties for officers who cover their faces while performing duties, creating misdemeanor charges for violations. Exemptions would exist for tactical teams and situations requiring protective equipment for health or safety reasons.
Democratic State Sen. Scott Wiener of San Francisco, a primary sponsor, characterized recent enforcement actions as undermining democratic principles through anonymity.
“We’re seeing the rise of secret police — masked, no identifying info, even wearing army fatigues — grabbing and disappearing people,” Wiener wrote on social media. “It’s antithetical to democracy and harms communities.”
The proposed statute would affect officers across all jurisdictions, including municipal, state, and federal levels. Lawmakers also plan companion legislation mandating visible identification badges and nameplates on uniforms.
Recent immigration sweeps nationwide have generated significant opposition, particularly in California, where some operations involved agents whose identities remained hidden behind face coverings. These enforcement activities have triggered protests in multiple cities.
The bill includes narrow exceptions for specialized units, such as SWAT teams, and circumstances where masks prevent exposure to hazardous materials, infectious diseases, or airborne contaminants. Legal experts note uncertainty about applying state regulations to federal personnel as the measure advances through preliminary legislative stages.
Advocates argue the proposal would enhance police accountability while fostering community confidence in law enforcement practices. They also emphasize protection against fraudulent impersonation of officers, citing a recent Minnesota tragedy where someone posing as law enforcement killed two legislators and wounded two others in separate attacks.
Federal agencies have mounted fierce opposition to California’s initiative. Department of Homeland Security representative Tricia McLaughlin condemned the proposal as “despicable,” highlighting security threats facing Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel.
McLaughlin described officers enduring physical attacks and having personal details distributed online by hostile groups. She criticized what she termed “sanctuary politicians” for potentially exposing agents to targeting by “known and suspected terrorist sympathizers” while officers face violence, including projectiles and incendiary devices.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem justified facial concealment during a recent CBS News appearance, emphasizing personnel security considerations.
“It’s for the safety of those individuals or the work that they’re doing as far as protecting their identity so they can continue to do investigative work,” Noem said.
The California Police Chiefs Association has communicated reservations about the legislation directly to Wiener’s office. Association President Jason Salazar stressed the challenge of balancing transparency demands with officer protection needs.
Salazar noted the complexity of “creating state laws that change the rules for officers that are being placed into conflict situations” while maintaining both public trust and personnel safety.
President Donald Trump has addressed the issue of masking from a different angle, focusing on demonstrators rather than enforcement personnel. Following National Guard deployment to Los Angeles for immigration operation security, Trump announced via social media that masks would be prohibited at protest gatherings.
Currently, there are no federal regulations governing officer face-covering practices, according to law enforcement specialists. Historically, agents have used masks for undercover assignments or to protect their identities during sensitive investigations.
Former Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director John Sandweg, who also served as acting general counsel for Homeland Security, attributed increased mask usage to policy pressures affecting field agents under current administration directives.
Sandweg cautioned that concealed faces could create dangerous misunderstandings, noting potential conflicts when other officers or armed citizens encounter masked individuals making arrests in public spaces.
