1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

Please support the No Secret Police Act. I am writing to express my unequivocal support for SB 627, the No Secret Police Act, which would require all law enforcement officers operating in California to clearly identify themselves during public interactions and prohibit the use of masks or other facial coverings, with reasonable exemptions for tactical gear and safety equipment. At its core, this bill is about trust. The people of California deserve to know who is policing them. We have witnessed troubling instances—particularly during immigration raids and civil demonstrations—where law enforcement officers, often in unmarked vehicles and generic “POLICE” jackets, concealed their faces and identities. This practice is not only chilling but antithetical to democratic norms. Secret policing has no place in a free society. By mandating visible identification and restricting anonymous law enforcement conduct, SB 627 reinforces the principle that those who wield government power must do so with transparency and accountability. This bill provides narrowly tailored exemptions that respect the operational needs of SWAT units, fire protection, and health-related masking, but it rightly draws a line against routine anonymity in public enforcement. Californians must never again wonder whether the people confronting them on the street are real officers, private contractors, or unaccountable actors. SB 627 helps ensure public confidence and institutional legitimacy. I urge you to vote yes on this critical legislation. Thank you for your service and your commitment to civil liberties.