OLYMPIA, Wash – Washington lawmakers could pass a law this session, forbidding law enforcement officers from wearing face coverings.
There are bills in both the Washington House and Senate this session. Each had committee hearings Tuesday.
Washington Senate Bill 5855 forbids lawmakers from wearing facial coverings when interacting with the public or performing their duties.
It would apply to state and federal officers working in the state.
This does not apply to undercover officers or to protective gear officers might wear when working, for example, on a SWAT assignment.
California passed a similar law in September; the U.S. Department of Justice is suing the state over it.
Lawmakers heard pros and cons during a Senate Law and Justice Committee meeting Tuesday.
One supporter of the bill said people have the right to know who is exercising their authority over us.
Sen. Javier Valdez from Seattle said this would help build trust in immigrant communities.
James McMahan is the policy director for the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs said the association supports rules already in place that require officers to wear identification. However, he said, the association opposes this bill.
“Not because we want our officers to be some kind of secret police,” McMahan said. “But because this bill doesn’t just require officers to be identifiable, it prohibits any device that covers a person’s face. That’s where we’re challenged… We think there are exceptions that haven’t yet been contemplated.”
He used as an example an officer working in Omak when it’s four degrees outside.
The committee also heard from Elizabeth Hendren, an attorney with Sexual Violence Law Center.
She supports the bill, saying survivor safety depends on trust.
“When officers conceal their faces or identities, trust is undermined,” she said.
Sen. Jeff Holy from the Spokane area pointed to the lawsuit against California as a reason for possibly pausing the legislation.
“I’m not sure this is ready for prime time until the issue actually is resolved in California,” Sen. Holy said. “I would suggest maybe holding off until that’s resolved.”
The Washington House of Representatives will hear testimony on a companion bill Tuesday afternoon.
Governor Bob Ferguson supports the measures, citing activities of ICE agents nationwide as the reason for this type of law.
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