Cappelletti Floats Mask Ban For Law Enforcement In PA

SOUTHEASTERN, PA — Two Pennsylvania State Senators from the Philadelphia region are proposing a ban on some public servants from wearing masks while performing duties.

State Sen. Amanda Cappelletti (D-17th District) and State Sen. Nikil Saval (D-1st District) are co-sponsoring legislation that would prohibit certain public servants from wearing masks, facial coverings, or other garments that obscure their identity during the execution of official duties.

The legislators last week announced their plans to introduce legislation titled "No Secret Police: Unmask ICE."

"The growing trend of ICE agents concealing their identities has raised serious concerns," Cappelletti said on social media. "This practice undermines public trust and has even led to an increase in law enforcement impersonations, hurting the safety of our communities in more ways than one."

Cappelletti's district covers Haverford Township, Radnor Township, Bridgeport, East Norriton Township, Lower Merion Township, Narberth, Norristown, Upper Merion Township, West Conshohocken, and West Norriton Township.

She went on to say the bull would "bring transparency and accountability back to law enforcement by putting an end to this secretive practice."

A memo on the bill says the "current lack of clear visual identification protocols in our statutes undermines the integrity of legitimate enforcement operations and decreases public safety."

"This legislation will create appropriate standards for law enforcement departments and agencies operating within our Commonwealth," the memo reads.

Provisions in the bill stipulate that law enforcement officers and agents acting within the scope of their duties must wear clearly visible identification, including a badge with name, badge number, and department or agency; and a department or agency issued uniform

It also says officers and agents acting within the scope of their duties may not wear masks, facial coverings, or other garments that obscure their identity.

Those who violate the above provisions will be subject to criminal penalties, and could open them to civil action, according to the memo.

Exceptions do apply, however: surgical or N95 respirators designed to prevent the transmission of airborne diseases, and undercover officers or agents investigating serious criminal conduct.

"In recent months, communities across the country have experienced a sharp increase in civil immigration enforcement operations carried out by heavily armed officers who mask or disguise their appearances while engaging with members of the public. This has sown fear and confusion in our communities and creates situations primed for abuses of power and deception," Saval said. "True public safety cannot be achieved when law enforcement officers conceal who they are from the people they have sworn to protect."