Support HB 4138 — Require Officer Identification in Oregon

I am writing as a constituent to urge you to support House Bill 4138, which would require law enforcement agencies operating in Oregon to restrict the use of facial coverings to narrow, clearly defined circumstances such as medical necessity, undercover operations, or SWAT assignments. Accountability and transparency are foundational to public trust. For generations, policing in this country has relied on officers visibly wearing badges, names, and agency identification. This is not a radical concept — it is a cornerstone of democratic governance. When individuals exercising the power to detain, question, or arrest obscure their identities, the public cannot verify their authority, file complaints, or seek redress when misconduct occurs. If HB 4138 must be modified to ensure it aligns with constitutional and federal law, I strongly urge you to insist that its core principle remains intact: any officer engaging with the public — including federal officers operating in Oregon — must be clearly identifiable by name, badge number, and agency. I recognize that legitimate exceptions exist, such as for undercover work, tactical operations, or temporary health protections. But routine, public-facing law enforcement should never be anonymous. Criminal actors conceal their identities to avoid accountability. Law enforcement, by contrast, derives its legitimacy from openness, professionalism, and the rule of law. If an officer feels unsafe being identified while performing lawful duties in public, that raises serious questions about the nature of the operation itself — not about the public’s right to know who is exercising authority over them. Oregon has a long history of standing for civil liberties, constitutional protections, and responsible policing. I urge you to uphold those values by supporting HB 4138 and ensuring that any final version preserves strong, enforceable requirements for officer identification and public accountability. Thank you for your time and for representing the people of Oregon.