California lawmakers passed a measure that would ban most law enforcement officers from covering their faces while on the job in response to recent immigration raids in the Los Angeles area where some federal agents covered their faces and hid their identities.
The bill, approved on Thursday, now heads to Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk.
Though if he signs it into law, it is unclear whether the state could enforce the ban on federal agents who have been carrying out raids and arrests at local businesses under President Donald Trump’s mass deportation plan.
The bill is the first of its kind to pass through a state legislature, although similar legislation has been introduced in several states, including Tennessee, Michigan, Illinois, New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania.
Democrats on Capitol Hill have also proposed a mask ban for law enforcement officers.
Under the bill, local and federal officers, including immigration enforcement agents, would be banned from wearing neck gators, ski masks and other facial coverings while carrying out official business.
Exceptions would be permitted for undercover agents, medical masks like N95 respirators or tactical gear.
Newsom has about a month to sign the legislation into law.
While he has criticized federal agents’ use of masks during arrests, he has also raised questions over the summer about the state’s authority over federal agents.
Federal agents have conducted immigration raids in Southern California since June, sparking protests and the subsequent federal deployment of the National Guard and Marines. --->READ MORE HERE
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Senate Bill 627 would prohibit law enforcement from wearing masks while on the job.
A bill that would ban most law enforcement officers in California from wearing masks while on duty is headed to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk.
Senate Bill 627, authored by Sen. Scott Wiener (D- San Francisco), was introduced in response to federal immigration enforcement raids in the state. Wiener said the measure is designed to increase accountability and transparency, noting that local officers typically do not wear masks.
But the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC), which represents officers statewide, is urging Newsom to veto the bill. In a nine-page letter, the group argued it would increase liability for officers and make it harder to recruit and retain them.
“Local law enforcement has become collateral damage between the state and the Trump administration, and the feds are not going to be affected by this bill,” said Brian Marvel, president of PORAC. “At the last minute, the state law enforcement officers were exempted, so this will only affect the local municipal and county officers.”
If signed, the law would prohibit officers from wearing masks except for medical reasons, SWAT operations or undercover assignments. The California Highway Patrol is also exempt.
Marvel said the added risks could deter potential recruits.
“Somebody that’s actually looking for…wanting to be a peace officer in the state of California is probably going to reconsider because why would you open yourself up to that type of liability,” he said.
Wiener pushed back on those concerns.
“With all respect to PORAC, I think that that is really dramatic and overstated,” he said. “The way to avoid any consequences under this bill is not to wear a ski mask. Like I said, I have never in my life seen a police officer on patrol wearing a ski mask.” --->READ MORE HERE
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