byLynnanne Nguyen,KOMONewsReporter
OLYMPIA, Wash. —Law enforcement officers in Washington state are now prohibited from using masks or other face coverings to conceal their identities while interacting with the public, following the signing of a new law on Thursday.
The measure, which takes effect immediately, comes in response to concerns about recent federal immigration enforcement actions in which agents, including those with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, have been accused of concealing their identities during operations.
Under the law, officers who violate the policy could face civil lawsuits and be held liable for damages.
“This is about accountability and public trust,” said state Sen. Javier Valdez, D-Seattle. “No more fear, no more intimidation, and no more hiding your identity while you’re interacting with the public. The public deserves to know who you are.”
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“Law enforcement’s job is to protect us, yet ICE is hiding from public accountability,” Gov. Bob Ferguson said. “For the safety of both the public and law enforcement, Washingtonians must know they’re interacting with legitimate officers.”
The bill signing was briefly disrupted by protesters, some of whom accused the governor of cooperating with federal immigration authorities.
The law broadly restricts identity-concealing face coverings but includes several exceptions. Officers may still wear masks for legitimate purposes, such as undercover work, religious reasons, or safety equipment. This includes N95 masks, clear face shields, helmets, and protective gear typically used by specialized units.
The legislation faced opposition during hearings, with critics arguing the state lacks authority to regulate federal agencies and warning the policy could endanger officers and their families.
Source: Drudge Report
