Los Angeles County officials have initiated a movement to establish an ordinance that would prevent law enforcement officers, including federal agents, from concealing their identities while on duty. This decision arises from recent incidents involving federal immigration raids in which agents covered their faces with masks and did not disclose their identities. The Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to direct the county counsel to draft the ordinance, which would ban the use of masks by law enforcement—except in certain circumstances, such as for medical reasons or during undercover operations. Additionally, officials would be mandated to visibly display their identification and agency affiliation while performing their duties in public.
The backdrop for this ordinance includes a surge in federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across Southern California since June, which are linked to the immigration policies under the Trump administration aimed at mass deportations. The aggressive tactics used during these raids led to heightened public outcry, prompting protests, and the subsequent deployment of the National Guard and Marines in the area. Although many guard troops and all Marines have since withdrawn from Los Angeles, the atmosphere of fear and uncertainty remains palpable among local residents.
Supervisor Janice Hahn, who co-authored the motion for the ordinance, highlighted the negative impact of these immigration raids on community trust. She asserted that the public has a right to know who is stopping or detaining them, emphasizing that faceless law enforcement actions create an atmosphere of fear and turmoil: “Across the county, people are being pulled out of their cars, beaten, and ripped from their families by men in tactical gear with balaclavas,” she stated. Hahn acknowledged, however, that enforcing this ordinance against federal agents may present challenges and might ultimately be settled in court.
In contrast, officials from the Trump administration have defended the practice of agents concealing their identities, asserting that such measures are necessary for the safety of officers and their families. Todd Lyons, the acting director of ICE, expressed this viewpoint, stating that protecting agents from potential threats and doxing—where personal information is disclosed online—justifies their use of masks. Lyons expressed that the agency prioritizes the safety of its officials, regardless of any public sentiment against the measures being taken.
In addition to the local ordinance, there is a pending state measure aimed at prohibiting local, state, and federal police from covering their faces while on duty in California. Similar bills have been proposed in several other states, and federal legislation has been introduced by U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Cory Booker, showcasing a growing movement that challenges the hiding of law enforcement identities nationwide. In line with the Board of Supervisors’ directive, the county counsel has a 60-day deadline to present the draft ordinance for final approval.
Supervisor Hilda Solis, another co-author of the ordinance, emphasized the importance of establishing clear expectations for law enforcement conduct in the county. She noted that the use of masks and tactical gear not only breeds confusion and alarm among the public but also significantly erodes the trust that is essential for effective policing. The proposal reflects an urgent call for transparency and accountability in law enforcement practices, aimed at restoring public confidence in a system that many feel has become increasingly opaque and intimidating.
