all 13 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[+] 38 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)
  • [–] 33 points 1 year ago* (7 children)

    This is great, but a) it isn’t going to pass, and b) what about cops going under cover and plainclothes officers? So they get a carve out, or are they made illegal?

    How about SWAT teams in gas masks? Sheriffs working in dusty areas wearing bandanas? Riot visors?

  • source
  • hideshow 7 child comments
  • [–] 46 points 1 year ago

    They're basically extending an existing law making wearing a disguise while committing a crime a separate offense, to cover law enforcement while in the performance of their duties. It's already illegal for you to do this as a regular civilian, they're making it the same for law enforcement.

    There is an exception for undercover officers. There is zero reason outside those situations for an officer to disguise themselves. SWAT aren't usually disguised, they are very clearly identified as police already and aren't trying to disguise themselves.

    Plainclothes officers outside undercover assignments are already a grey area to be honest, too easy for them to purposefully escalate conflicts while making it look natural, and then justify a response to an escalation they created. ICE is just using that to their advantage here.

    Existing law makes it a misdemeanor to wear a mask, false whiskers, or any personal disguise, as specified, with the purpose of evading or escaping discovery, recognition, or identification while committing a public offense, or for concealment, flight, evasion, or escape from arrest or conviction for any public offense. This bill would make it a crime for a law enforcement officer to wear any mask or personal disguise while interacting with the public in the performance of their duties, except as specified. The bill would exempt an officer engaged in an undercover assignment from these provisions. The bill would define law enforcement officer as any officer of a local, state, or federal law enforcement agency, or any person acting on behalf of a local, state, or federal law enforcement agency. By creating a new crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. This bill would declare its provisions to be severable. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

    SB627 | California 2025-2026 | Law enforcement: masks. | TrackBill https://trackbill.com/bill/california-senate-bill-627-law-enforcement-masks/2670575/

    This actually is not a particularly vague law. It's pretty clear cut, and requires an intent to disguise. With the ICE bitches there is a clear intent to disguise there and not identify themselves as law enforcement, they've even admitted that is the case.

    The mask itself isn't the issue, it's the mask alongside not being not identifying themselves as police via something like a uniform or vest.

  • source
  • parent
  • [+] -7 points 1 year ago (5 children)
  • [–] 20 points 1 year ago* (1 child)

    It's actually not that vague looking into it. They have to be readily identifiable. They can totally wear masks as long as their identifiable as police and not trying to disguise themselves. So things like SWAT and riot equipment already identify them as police.

    It has an exemption for undercover officers, which already have existing requirements and paperwork associated for oversight. There is zero reason for any other officer to not be identifiable.

    It requires intent to disguise, so effectively this just outlaws plainclothes officers, which should already not be allowed honestly. Too easy for them to escalate a conflict from within to then justify an escalated police response. Protesters aren't violent enough? Send Jeff and Bobby inside in plain clothes to start some shit.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • load more comments (-1 replies)
  • load more comments (-1 replies)
    [–] 14 points 1 year ago

    Pathetic. I expect the democrats will soon be pushing a law forbidding ICE from brutalizing citizens for more than 30 minutes.

    Every democrat in power should be lighting shit on fire until ICE is abolished.

  • source
  • 3 comments in c/usa@midwest.social view that post
    [–] 11 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    I'm just waiting for some "good 'ol boy" to see them kidnapping one of his friends and pull a 2nd amendment. I bet there will be plenty of "thinking" and "debating" after that happens, it's inevitable.

  • source
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 5 points 1 year ago

    I know someone who is the child of cuban “refugees” who is a staunch republican (technically he’s a pro monarchy Lutheran or something?) I’m really excited for ice to take one look at him and arrest him thinking he’s south american or mexican or something.

  • source
  • parent