1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

Today I take pen in hand to write and strongly support SB 627, the No Secret Police Act. (Senators Wiener & Arreguin) We’ve all seen the news reports, videos and pictures of masked, and allegedly federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents accosting, assaulting, and arresting people, and generally acting like hoodlums and kidnappers. They routinely refuse to display their faces, present warrants, or show forms of identification common to our municipal, state police and highway patrol. As you know, this crucial legislation prohibits law enforcement at all levels from concealing their identities by covering their faces or failing to provide proper identification while conducting operations in California. The actions of the DHS and ICE agents have deeply eroded public trust in ALL law enforcement owing to the alarming use of unidentified, masked officers carrying out raids and detentions without transparency or accountability. This undermines the very principles of justice and public safety that law enforcement is meant to uphold. Furthermore, the proliferation of masked enforcement activities has enabled dangerous impersonation incidents, putting the public at risk. Police and legitimate law enforcement By requiring officers to be clearly identifiable through uniforms, names, or other visible credentials, SB 627 helps restore transparency and fosters the community trust that is essential for effective policing. This bill takes a firm stand against such abuses of power and affirms the right of Californians to know who is exercising authority over them. Public safety relies on a strong, trusting relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve. SB 627 is a necessary step toward rebuilding that trust and ensuring that all law enforcement operations in our state are conducted with full transparency and accountability. I urge your support for this vital legislation. Thank you.