California lawmakers pass bill banning law enforcement officers from covering their faces
Image: LA Times
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On Thursday, the California Legislature approved two bills aimed at increasing transparency and accountability among law enforcement officers during operations, including federal immigration raids.
Senate Bill 627, authored by Senators Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and Jesse Arreguín (D-Berkeley), would prohibit on-duty law enforcement officers — including federal immigration agents — from wearing face coverings or masks that conceal their identity. The bill allows exceptions for SWAT teams, undercover officers, and for medical reasons.
The legislation was introduced following a series of immigration raids earlier this year across the Los Angeles area, during which federal officers — often wearing military-style clothing and face coverings — detained individuals without clearly identifying themselves. These actions, part of the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign, drew strong criticism from Democratic officials.
Supporters of SB 627 argue that masked, unidentified officers erode public trust and create opportunities for impostors to pose as law enforcement, especially in immigrant communities.
“The idea that in California we would have law enforcement officers running around with ski masks is terrifying,” Wiener said in an interview. “It destroys confidence in law enforcement.”
Federal officials, including those from the Department of Homeland Security, have defended the use of face coverings, citing concerns over officer safety and potential retaliation.
Masked federal officers detain tamale vendor Yenni Perez Quinilla outside a Home Depot in Van Nuys on Aug. 15. (Gregory Bull / Associated Press)
If signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, SB 627 would apply to local and federal law enforcement personnel operating in California, but not to state officers such as California Highway Patrol members. When questioned about that exemption on the Senate floor, Wiener declined to offer details.
Meanwhile, Senate Bill 805, introduced by Senator Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Alhambra), also passed Thursday. It targets plainclothes immigration officers who fail to identify themselves during enforcement actions, requiring them to disclose their identity.
In Los Angeles County, officials are considering similar local measures to address the use of masks by law enforcement, although some legal experts warn that the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution could limit the state’s ability to regulate federal officers.
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