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A ban on federal agents, including immigration agents, wearing masks will not be enforced by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
“It wasn’t well thought out,” Chief Jim McDonnell said in a press conference Friday.
“The reality of one armed agency approaching another armed agency to create conflict over something that would be a misdemeanor at best or an infraction, it doesn’t make any sense,” McDonnell added.
The law, called the “No Secret Police Act,” mandates visible identification and bars from federal agents from wearing masks. Violations can be cited as misdemeanors.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill into law on January 1st.
Newsom said the law is intended to hold federal agents to the same standards as local law enforcement.
“ICE, unmask. What are you afraid of?” Newsom said.
“You’re gonna go out, you’re gonna do enforcement—provide an ID, tell us which agency you represent, provide basic information that all local enforcement is required to provide.”
The Department of Justice is challenging the Act, claiming it’s unconstitutional, and creates risks for agents, including harassment.
Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin, said the California law is a “despicable and a flagrant attempt to endanger our officers.”
“While our federal law enforcement officers are being assaulted by rioters and having rocks and Molotov cocktails thrown at them, a sanctuary politician is trying to outlaw officers wearing masks to protect themselves from being doxxed and targeted by known and suspected terrorist sympathizers,” she said.
The Act still permits masks to be worn for undercover operations or medical reasons, and specific protective gear, such as tactical helmets, may still be worn.
Despite saying the LAPD would not enforce the Act, the Police Chief added he would like to see tactical changes in the way federal agents operate.
“We are in line with our federal partners on everything except immigration enforcement, what we’ve seen since June here in Los Angeles and seen across the country, we’re as frustrated as everybody else—about the way that’s being done,” McDonnell said.
