Los Angeles County Municipal Code Ch. 13.01 Prohibition on Law Enforcement Officers Concealing Their Identities And…

THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WEAR VISIBLE IDENTIFICATION IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY UNINCORPORATED AREAS

A.

The use of facial coverings and disguises by law enforcement officers significantly affects the public's perception of law enforcement, officer-community interactions, and accountability.

B.

Persons reasonably may experience fear or intimidation when approached by officers whose faces are obscured. Such reactions can heighten defensive behaviors and unnecessarily escalate the tension inherent in many interactions between law-enforcement officers and members of the public.

C.

Facial coverings limit the visibility of facial expressions, which are an essential component of nonverbal communication. In high-stress or emotionally charged interactions, a person's inability to read an officer's expression may lead to a misinterpretation of tone or intent, increasing the risk of conflict.

D.

When officers are not readily identifiable, the risk of false personification of an officer increases. Unable to reliably distinguish actual law enforcement officers from imposters, persons will fear to, and sometimes will not, comply with the lawful authority of actual law enforcement officers, again increasing the risk of conflict. Further, the increased risk of false personification of an officer, increases the risk to persons who submit to the purported authority of an imposter of kidnapping, robbery, and rape. The Los Angeles Times reported that two men in Fresno County did pose as law enforcement agents and filmed

themselves harassing local businesses and that several thefts were committed in Orange County by people who were impersonating law enforcement.

E.

While certain situations may require the use of face coverings or masks to provide protection against environmental hazards, facial coverings and disguises used by a law enforcement officer during an interaction with the public should not obscure their identity in a manner that impairs review of, and accountability for, their official actions; nor should such coverings be used in a manner that enables or conceals discriminatory or unlawful conduct.

(Ord. 2025-0060 § 1, 2025.)

To promote transparency, safety, and trust in interactions between law enforcement officers and members of the communities they serve.

(Ord. 2025-0060 § 1, 2025.)

As used in this Chapter, the following definitions apply:

A.

"Facial Covering" means any opaque mask, garment, helmet, headgear, or other item that conceals or obscures the facial identity of an individual, including, but not limited to, a balaclava, a bandana, a tactical mask, a gator, a ski mask, or any similar type of facial covering or face-shielding item. For the purposes of this chapter, any reference to "facial covering" excludes a translucent face shield or clear mask provided that it does not conceal the wearer's facial identity and that it is used in compliance with the employing agency's policy and procedures as set forth in section 7289 of the Government Code, as may be amended; an N95 medical mask or surgical mask to protect against transmission of disease or infection or any other mask or device, including, but not limited to, air-purifying respirators, full or half masks, or self-contained breathing apparatus necessary to protect against a present, or reasonably imminent risk of exposure to any toxin, gas, smoke, or any other hazardous environmental condition; a mask, helmet, or other device, including, but not limited to, a self-contained breathing apparatus, necessary for underwater use; a motorcycle helmet when worn by an officer utilizing a motorcycle or other vehicle that requires a helmet for safe operations while in the performance of their duties; and eyewear necessary to protect from the use of retinal weapons, including, but not limited to, lasers.

B.

"Law Enforcement Officer" means any peace officer as defined in California Penal Code section 830, as may be amended, and any officer or agent of a federal law enforcement agency.

C.

"Visible Identification" means identification that conspicuously identifies the name of the Law Enforcement Officer's agency, and either the Law Enforcement Officer's last name or badge number or both.

(Ord. 2025-0060 § 1, 2025.)

In the performance of their duties within the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, a Law Enforcement Officer shall not wear a facial covering that conceals or obscures their face, and shall not wear a personal disguise, except as expressly authorized in this Chapter.

(Ord. 2025-0060 § 1, 2025.)

The requirements of section 13.01.040 do not apply to the following:

A.

A Law Enforcement Officer subject to one or more of the exemptions set forth in paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of section 7289 of the Government Code, as may be amended.

B.

Active undercover operations or assignments authorized by supervising personnel or court order.

C.

Tactical operations where protective gear is required for physical safety.

D.

Applicable law governing occupational health and safety.

E.

Protection of identity during prosecution.

F.

Applicable law governing reasonable accommodations.

G.

An officer assigned to Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) or equivalent team units while actively performing their SWAT responsibilities.

(Ord. 2025-0060 § 1, 2025.)

A.

A willful and knowing violation of Section 13.01.040 is punishable as an infraction or misdemeanor.

B.

The criminal penalties in this Section shall not apply to any Law Enforcement Officer if they were acting in their capacity as an employee of the Law Enforcement Officer's agency and the agency has maintained and publicly posted a written policy pursuant to section 7289 of the Government Code, as may be amended.

(Ord. 2025-0060 § 1, 2025.)

A.

A Law Enforcement Officer operating within the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County shall wear Visible Identification when performing duties that involve interaction with the public.

(Ord. 2025-0060 § 1, 2025.)

The requirements of section 13.01.070 do not apply to the following:

A.

A Law Enforcement Officer engaged in active undercover operations or investigative activities.

B.

A Law Enforcement Officer wearing personal protective equipment that prevents display.

C.

Exigent circumstances, involving an imminent danger to persons or property, or the escape of a perpetrator, or the destruction of evidence, including if the officer is responding to those circumstances while off duty.

D.

A Law Enforcement Officer assigned to Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) or tactical team units and actively performing their SWAT or tactical team responsibilities.

E.

A Law Enforcement Officer engaged in protective operations involving elected officials, judicial officers, or other designated dignitaries where the display of identification would compromise the safety, anonymity, or tactical effectiveness of the protection detail.

(Ord. 2025-0060 § 1, 2025.)

A.

A willful and knowing violation of Section 13.01.070 is punishable as a misdemeanor.

B.

This Section, and the penalties established herein, shall not apply to any law enforcement agency, or its personnel, if that agency maintains and publicly posts a written policy pursuant to section 7288 of the Government Code, as may be amended.

(Ord. 2025-0060 § 1, 2025.)

Nothing in this Chapter is to be interpreted or applied so as to create any requirement, power, or duty in conflict with any federal or California State law.

(Ord. 2025-0060 § 1, 2025.)

If any provision of this Chapter, or any application thereof to any person or circumstance, is found to be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid by a decision of a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision will not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of this section which can be implemented without the invalid provisions and, to this end, the provisions of this section are declared to be severable. The Board of Supervisors hereby declares that it would have adopted this Chapter and each provision thereof irrespective of whether any one or more provisions are subsequently found invalid, unconstitutional, or otherwise unenforceable.

(Ord. 2025-0060 § 1, 2025.)