Monday, June 30, 2025

State Bill Banning Law Enforcement Masks Could Get City’s Support

Proposed legislation would prohibit officers and agents from wearing face coverings during public interactions

Pasadena’s Legislative Policy Committee will consider supporting state legislation that would ban law enforcement officers from wearing masks while interacting with the public. Senate Bill 627, authored by Senators Scott Wiener, Jesse Arreguin, and Sasha Renée Pérez, would make it a crime for law enforcement officers to wear masks or personal disguises during their duties. The bill includes exceptions for undercover assignments, medical masks to prevent disease transmission, wildfire smoke protection and SWAT team protective gear. The City Manager’s Office will explain the recommendation during a Legislative Policy Committee meeting scheduled for July 1. It will go before the full City Council on July 14.

The proposal comes after recent immigration enforcement operations in Los Angeles and surrounding counties, including Pasadena, raised public safety concerns. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel involved in these actions often wear face masks or other materials to shield their identity and agency affiliation. This practice left the public wondering whether the actions were undertaken by actual federal agents or bad actors posing as such, according to the city staff report.

The bill defines “law enforcement officer” as any officer from local, state or federal agencies, or anyone acting on behalf of such agencies. Existing law already makes it a misdemeanor to wear masks while committing public offenses for concealment or to evade arrest. The legislation was amended to its current form on June 24 when Senator Pérez was added as an author.

The City Manager said supporting the bill would help further the City Council’s goals to ensure public safety. The proposed action would have no fiscal impact on the city, as stated by the City Manager’s Office. If the recommendation is approved, the mayor would be authorized to send letters stating Pasadena’s position to appropriate authorities.