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Officials in Los Angeles County are pushing for a new rule that would prevent law enforcement officers from hiding their identities while on duty.
This decision comes in response to recent immigration raids in the city, where some federal agents wore masks and kept their identities concealed.
The Board of Supervisors voted 4–0, with one abstention, to instruct county counsel to create a rule that prohibits law enforcement officers, including federal agents, from wearing masks, with a few exceptions like for medical reasons or undercover operations.
Officers would also be required to visibly display their identification and agency affiliation while on duty in public.
Federal agents have been carrying out ICE raids in Southern California as part of President Donald Trump’s deportation efforts, leading to protests and the deployment of the National Guard and Marines. However, some troops have been withdrawn from Los Angeles since then.
Supervisor Janice Hahn, who co-sponsored the motion, expressed concerns about the fear these raids have caused among residents and emphasized the importance of transparency in law enforcement.
Hahn acknowledged that enforcing the rule against federal agencies, like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, might require legal action.
Officials defending officers who conceal their identities argue that immigration agents do it for safety reasons to avoid threats and doxing.
A proposed measure in the state legislature aims to prevent police officers at all levels from covering their faces while on duty in California, with similar legislation being considered in other states.
In Los Angeles County, the county counsel has two months to present the draft rule for approval by the board.
Supervisor Hilda Solis, the other co-sponsor, stressed the importance of setting clear expectations for law enforcement behavior in the county.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
