US EditionWashington Governor Signs Bills Banning Masked Agents, Impersonating Law Enforcement
The laws respond to federal immigration agents masking identities during arrests and criminalize impersonation of officers to improve accountability, lawmakers said.
- On Thursday, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson signed two public safety bills at Seattle's El Centro de la Raza, banning law enforcement from wearing masks and prohibiting individuals from impersonating police officers.
- State Sen. Javier Valdez, who sponsored the mask ban, introduced the legislation as a direct response to federal agents concealing their identities during immigration arrests across Washington.
- Senate Bill 5855 cleared the House by a 56-37 vote, prohibiting officers from masking while on duty with exceptions for tactical teams or medical needs; House Bill 2165 establishes criminal penalties for impersonating police.
- Republican Representative Jeremie Dufault opposed the measure, calling it a "do-nothing political statement" that conflicts with the U.S. Constitution's Supremacy Clause regarding federal law enforcement authority.
- Legal experts anticipate potential federal challenges to the policy, noting a federal judge in Los Angeles recently struck down a similar mask ban in California on constitutional grounds.
18 Articles
18 Articles
Face mask ban for police in Washington is signed into law
Washington State Standard is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501(c)(3) public charity.Law enforcement officers in Washington state can no longer cover their faces to conceal their identities.The law, signed Thursday by Gov. Bob Ferguson, seeks to unmask federal immigration agents detaining people under President Donald Trump. But Senate Bill 5855 also applies equally to state …
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NBC Right NowUPDATE: March 19 at 4:05 p.m.
Ferguson signs bill to ban officers from wearing masks on duty
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson on Thursday signed legislation that bans law enforcement officers from wearing masks while carrying out official duties. “Law enforcement’s job, of course, is to protect us,” Ferguson said. “Yet ICE is hiding from public accountability.” Ferguson signed the bill during a ceremony at El Centro de la Raza in Seattle, flanked by supporters including Democratic State Senator Javier Valdez. “No more hiding your ident…
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