Particle.news
Download on the App Store
20 ARTICLES
·
7h ago

California Introduces No Secret Police Act Prohibiting Officer Face Coverings

Supporters say visible faces and badges will strengthen accountability by rebuilding public trust

Federal agents guard outside of a federal building and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center on June 13, 2025, in Los Angeles, California. Demonstrations continue after a series of immigration raids began last Friday, June 6th. Tensions in the city remain high after the Trump administration called in the National Guard and the Marines against the wishes of city leaders. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
ICE at the Edward Roybal Federal Building. Anti-Ice protests continue in downtown Los Angeles on June 11, 2025.
The face covering donned by this officer outside a federal building and Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in downtown Los Angeles on June 13 would be prohibited under new proposed legislation. 
Image

Overview

  • Senate Bill 627 was filed June 16 by Sens. Scott Wiener and Jesse Arreguín to ban local, state and federal officers from wearing face coverings during public interactions
  • The measure requires officers to keep their faces visible and display identification on their uniforms, with exemptions for SWAT teams, medical masks, clear riot shields and smoke protection
  • The Department of Homeland Security condemned the proposal as “despicable,” warning that revealing officers’ identities could expose them to retaliation and compromise safety
  • Legal analysts question California’s authority to enforce the ban on federal agents, saying state law cannot regulate face coverings worn by ICE and other federal officers
  • The legislation responds to recent ICE immigration raids in Los Angeles and across California that featured masked officers and sparked protests over “secret police” tactics