Exposing California’s “Secret Police” Hypocrisy

Last week, California Governor Gavin Newsom, state legislators, local elected officials, and community leaders were on camera thundering about “authoritarian regimes” and “secret police tactics.” They staged press conferences, accused others of “terror campaigns,” and congratulated themselves for “bold leadership” with Senate Bill 627 — the so-called “No Secret Police Act.”

Their rhetoric is soaring. Their hypocrisy is staggering.

Here’s what SB 627 really does: it bans local police from wearing masks while on duty. Sheriff deputies, city police, and school police. They’re all covered. Break the rule, and you may face criminal penalties and civil lawsuits, each potentially carrying a fine of up to $10,000.

But hidden in the fine print is a carve-out big enough to drive a CHP cruiser through.

The California Highway Patrol is exempt.

The Department of Justice’s police force is exempt.

Even the Franchise Tax Board’s armed officers are exempt.

In other words, the Governor and State Legislature exempted their own security forces while cracking down on everyone else.

They railed against “secret police,” unless it’s their police. It is fine if it is theirs. It is a pattern we have seen over and over again.

• •During COVID, Californians were told not to send their kids to school, go to the beach, or visit loved ones in nursing homes. Meanwhile, the politicians were out dining with friends and sending their kids to school. What’s good for you isn’t good for others.
• •They boast about California’s “climate leadership,” but they routinely fly private jets to climate conferences and fundraisers.
• •They lecture about fairness, but rewrite rules and gerrymander districts to protect their own power.
• •They speak of “equity,” but preside over the nation’s highest poverty rate, where millions can’t afford housing, groceries, or health care.

Every time, the message is the same: the rules are for you, not for them.

If these politicians and their allies truly believed what they were saying about “secret police,” there would be no exemptions. But this was never about principle; it was about politics and headlines. One standard for you. A different standard for them.

SB 627 is just the latest example of this growing hypocrisy: loud speeches about “defending democracy” while writing carve-outs for their own power and privilege.

Hector Barajas is the founder of Amplify360 Inc., a public affairs and strategic communications firm with offices in Sacramento and Los Angeles, advising companies and associations on legislative, regulatory, and political issues across California.

X: @HectorMBarajas

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hectormbarajas/