Los Angeles County pushes for ordinance to ban legislation enforcement from masking their identities

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Los Angeles County officers are calling for an ordinance to ban legislation enforcement officers from concealing their identities whereas on obligation.

The transfer comes after latest federal immigration raids within the metropolis the place some federal brokers coated their faces with masks and refused to disclose their identities, which isn't irregular.

The Board of Supervisors voted 4–0, with one abstention, on Tuesday to direct county counsel to draft an ordinance that bans legislation enforcement, together with federal brokers, from sporting masks, with some exceptions together with for medical safety or throughout undercover operations.

Officers would even be required to visibly show identification and company affiliation whereas on obligation in public.

MASSACHUSETTS BILL WOULD FORCE ICE AGENTS TO UNMASK

Los Angeles County officers are calling for an ordinance to ban legislation enforcement officers from concealing their identities whereas on obligation. (AP)

Federal brokers have carried out ICE raids in Southern California since June beneath President Donald Trump's mass deportation agenda, sparking protests and the next federal deployment of the Nationwide Guard and Marines. About half the Guard troops and all of the Marines have since been pulled out of Los Angeles.

Supervisor Janice Hahn, who co-authored the movement, mentioned the raids have provoked worry and residents have a proper to know who's stopping, questioning or detaining them.

"Throughout the county, individuals are being pulled out of their automobiles, overwhelmed, and ripped from their households by males in tactical gear with balaclavas, no badges, and no names," Hahn mentioned. "That’s not how legislation enforcement in a democracy ought to function."

Hahn admitted that it's unclear if the county will be capable of implement the measure in opposition to actions by federal businesses, together with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

"In the end, it may need to be determined by a courtroom," she mentioned.

FROM 'SAFETY' TO 'FASCIST STATE': SENATORS SHARE OPINIONS ON ICE AGENTS WEARING MASKS

The Board of Supervisors voted 4–0 to direct county counsel to draft an ordinance that bans legislation enforcement, together with federal brokers, from sporting masks, with some exceptions. (Getty Photographs)

Administration officers have defended officers who conceal their identities, arguing that immigration agents do it for his or her security to keep away from potential demise threats and doxing, which incorporates releasing somebody’s private info on-line with out their permission.

"I’m sorry if individuals are offended by them sporting masks, however I’m not going to let my officers and brokers go on the market and put their lives on the road, their household on the road as a result of individuals don’t like what immigration enforcement is," ICE performing director Todd Lyons mentioned final month.

A pending measure within the state legislature would prohibit native, state and federal police from protecting their faces whereas on obligation within the Golden State. Related laws has been proposed in different states and U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., and Cory Booker, D-N.J., have launched a invoice on the federal degree.

A pending measure within the California legislature would prohibit native, state, and federal police from protecting their faces whereas on obligation within the Golden State. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Photographs)

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In Los Angeles County, the county counsel has 60 days to submit the draft ordinance to the board for approval.

Supervisor Hilda Solis, the opposite co-author, mentioned native officers should set up expectations about how legislation enforcement ought to conduct themselves within the county.

"Using masks, tactical gear, and refusal to indicate identification shouldn't be solely alarming and complicated, however erodes public belief and raises critical security issues," Solis mentioned.