As Republicans advocate for mask bans to target anonymous protesters and criminals, two Democratic lawmakers in California are proposing legislation to prohibit law enforcement officers from wearing face coverings in the wake of the federal crackdown on anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles.
State Senators Scott Wiener of San Francisco and Jesse Arreguin of Oakland announced on social media their intention to introduce the “No Secret Police Act,” which would ban most law enforcement personnel from covering their faces while engaging with the public. The bill would also mandate that officers display identifying information, such as name tags on their helmets.
“We’re seeing the rise of secret police — masked, no identifying info, even wearing army fatigues — grabbing & disappearing people. It’s antithetical to democracy & harms communities. The No Secret Police Act can help end the fear & chaos this behavior creates in communities,” Wiener wrote on X.
“The recent federal operations in California have created an environment of profound terror. If we want the public to trust law enforcement, we cannot allow them to behave like secret police in an authoritarian state,” Wiener told the San Francisco Standard.
The legislation would exempt SWAT members and officers required to wear medical masks during emergencies, such as the wildfires that frequently impact California. Additionally, certain types of riot gear—like those worn by many officers during the Los Angeles protests—would remain permitted, provided the officer’s face remains visible through the face covering.
In Los Angeles, protesters have come equipped with a variety of face coverings, including medical masks to guard against tear gas and keffiyehs—a traditional Palestinian scarf often seen at anti-Israel demonstrations.
Some masked protesters were captured on camera setting cars ablaze and throwing objects at officers. These face coverings complicate law enforcement efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible for violent acts, the New York Post reported.
