Should LEOs be allowed to wear masks on the job?

[Machinehead]

You are OK with zero identification of them being legitimate law enforcement? How can I tell that the people throwing me into a car are kidnappers or if they are doing police work?

Should have every right to defend themselves in those cases.

 

[nycfan]

 

[nycfan]

LA supervisor warns of ICE impersonators after masked men profile staffer’s godson​

Alleged incident comes as California lawmakers push to ban federal agents from wearing masks amid aggressive Trump administration enforcement push​

​

LA supervisor warns of ICE impersonators after masked men profile staffer’s godson

Alleged incident comes as California lawmakers push to ban federal agents from wearing masks amid aggressive Trump administration enforcement push

www.the-independent.com

​

“… During a Tuesday meeting, Supervisor Kathryn Barger recounted the story of two masked men in an unmarked vehicle with flashing lights allegedly pulling over a staff member’s godson, then making a derogatory comment that he was driving a “nice truck for someone with that surname,” the Los Angeles Times reports.​

​

The men then attempted to enter the vehicle, but fled once a crowd began recording the encounter.​

​

“I do believe there may be people out there impersonating ICE, taking advantage of this population,” Barger said, adding that she called ICE about the incident and got no response.…”​

​

——​

​

ICE Impersonator Zip-Tied Woman and Stole $1,000​

"Any criminal can now put on a mask, say he is from ICE, and conduct any crime," one group warned.​

​

'What People Have Feared': ICE Impersonator Zip-Tied Woman and Stole $1,000 | Common Dreams

"This is what people have feared," one immigration expert said after an ICE impersonator in Philadelphia zip-tied a woman and stole $1,000.

www.commondreams.org

​

“…​

"He kept saying he is immigration officer," the 50-year-old cashier in Philadelphia, a legal U.S. resident who is from the Dominican Republic, toldFox 29's Steve Keeley. Showing the journalist her bruises, she said that the man tied her arms behind her back, and "every time I tried to turn around to look at his face, he twisted me around roughly."​

​

Although the shop is next to the Philadelphia Police 15th District, it took over two hours before the victim could connect with law enforcement. Police said in a Tuesday statement that the man, who escaped in a white Ford cargo van with red dashes around the middle, remains at large.​

​

Police released surveillance photos of the van and the man, described as a white male in a "black baseball cap with U.S. flag on the front, black sunglasses, black long sleeve shirt, wearing gloves, black tactical vest with 'Security Enforcement Agent,' and dark green cargo pants."…”​

 

[nycfan]

This stuff started earlier this year:​

​

Florida woman accused of impersonating ICE agent to kidnap ex-boyfriend's wife​

Florida woman accused of impersonating ICE agent to kidnap ex-boyfriend's wife

A Florida woman is accused of pretending to be ICE to kidnap her ex-boyfriend's wife, even wearing a shirt with the word \

www.usatoday.com

——

Multiple ICE impersonation arrests made during nationwide immigration crackdown​

https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/04/us/ice-impersonators-on-the-rise-arrests-made-as-authorities-issue-national-warning

——

ICE impersonators and other scammers are on the rise: How to protect yourself​

ICE impersonators and other scammers are on the rise: How to protect yourself

A rise in scams targeting the immigrant community spurs warnings from officials. Here's what to do if someone pretending to be ICE approaches or contacts you.

www.latimes.com

“… If you are approached by a person who claims they’re an immigration official, the best way to confirm that they’re a legitimate federal officer is to ask for identification, according to Bonta’s office. Immigration authorities carry identifying badges and credentials….”

 

[BlooVooDoo]

This stuff started earlier this year:​

​

Florida woman accused of impersonating ICE agent to kidnap ex-boyfriend's wife​

Florida woman accused of impersonating ICE agent to kidnap ex-boyfriend's wife

A Florida woman is accused of pretending to be ICE to kidnap her ex-boyfriend's wife, even wearing a shirt with the word \

www.usatoday.com

——

Multiple ICE impersonation arrests made during nationwide immigration crackdown​

https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/04/us/ice-impersonators-on-the-rise-arrests-made-as-authorities-issue-national-warning

So fucking predictable.

 

[ZenMode]

I'm actually going to buck the trend and say the masks are acceptable for two reasons. First of all, these guys are people. They don't want to be doxxed by some nuts on reddit. Secondly, some of these guys would want to work undercover at some point. It isn't going to take too much effort to have an AI program do facial recognition on news clips as these guys arrest folks and compare it to that new connect that wants to sell me a bunch of drugs a few years from now. I could probably do it and I'm not that good.

I do think they should be in uniform and there should be some way to identify them such as a name tag or even a number that can be traced back if necessary. I certainly don't like the look of vigilantes arresting people as a matter of course because some agents don't want to wear a uniform. It makes these things look less like a professional law enforcement operation and more like a bunch of bounty hunters.

I don't blame these guys for doing what the elected bosses order them to do. We don't want them to have no accountability and do whatever the heck they want. But I do think they should do the arrests as humanely and professionally as possible.

My first reaction was "No. Any government employee's face should be visible, however, if we want to be able to recruit quality people to ICE or CBP, I think the ability to conceal your identity needs to be permitted.

 

[ZenMode]

LA supervisor warns of ICE impersonators after masked men profile staffer’s godson​

Alleged incident comes as California lawmakers push to ban federal agents from wearing masks amid aggressive Trump administration enforcement push​

​

LA supervisor warns of ICE impersonators after masked men profile staffer’s godson

Alleged incident comes as California lawmakers push to ban federal agents from wearing masks amid aggressive Trump administration enforcement push

www.the-independent.com

​

“… During a Tuesday meeting, Supervisor Kathryn Barger recounted the story of two masked men in an unmarked vehicle with flashing lights allegedly pulling over a staff member’s godson, then making a derogatory comment that he was driving a “nice truck for someone with that surname,” the Los Angeles Times reports.​

​

The men then attempted to enter the vehicle, but fled once a crowd began recording the encounter.​

​

“I do believe there may be people out there impersonating ICE, taking advantage of this population,” Barger said, adding that she called ICE about the incident and got no response.…”​

​

——​

​

ICE Impersonator Zip-Tied Woman and Stole $1,000​

"Any criminal can now put on a mask, say he is from ICE, and conduct any crime," one group warned.​

​

'What People Have Feared': ICE Impersonator Zip-Tied Woman and Stole $1,000 | Common Dreams

"This is what people have feared," one immigration expert said after an ICE impersonator in Philadelphia zip-tied a woman and stole $1,000.

www.commondreams.org

​

“…​

"He kept saying he is immigration officer," the 50-year-old cashier in Philadelphia, a legal U.S. resident who is from the Dominican Republic, toldFox 29's Steve Keeley. Showing the journalist her bruises, she said that the man tied her arms behind her back, and "every time I tried to turn around to look at his face, he twisted me around roughly."​

​

Although the shop is next to the Philadelphia Police 15th District, it took over two hours before the victim could connect with law enforcement. Police said in a Tuesday statement that the man, who escaped in a white Ford cargo van with red dashes around the middle, remains at large.​

​

Police released surveillance photos of the van and the man, described as a white male in a "black baseball cap with U.S. flag on the front, black sunglasses, black long sleeve shirt, wearing gloves, black tactical vest with 'Security Enforcement Agent,' and dark green cargo pants."…”​

Ice impersonators come in many forms.

 

[HeelInTheOzarks]

 

[1moretimeagain]

 

[wmheel1287]

My first reaction was "No. Any government employee's face should be visible, however, if we want to be able to recruit quality people to ICE or CBP, I think the ability to conceal your identity needs to be permitted.

No quality person is going to work for ICE. Anyone who works there is 100% guaranteed to be a class A dickhead on a power trip. Decent people would have quit long ago.

 

[MendotoManteo]

No quality person is going to work for ICE. Anyone who works there is 100% guaranteed to be a class A dickhead on a power trip. Decent people would have quit long ago.

Yes, you're absolutely correct. ICE is something different. You're breaking up families and don't give a damn. You're an asshole. Laws be damned. This is a human thing.

Regarding regular law enforcement, I see the difficulty. Not that I agree with all they do, but someone has to do something given our current socio-economic situation. I don't defend bad cops but it must be a very difficult job for those who have to deal with very difficult people. I wouldn't want to do it, myself.

That being said, I was just watching Cops an hour or two ago. I don't know why. I suppose because I grew up watching it, when I was young and dumb. But everytime the outcome is the same: I watch for no more than one episode and then find myself sickened. Because it's making entertainment out of other's misfortune, no matter how bad they may or may not be.

But point here is that the police on Cops do not mask themselves. They sign on. Because they already signed on. They could easily be doxed.

If you ain't willing to face (literally) that potential, then don't do it. I get it's a different era. Video present almost all the time. Same reason we, fortunately, don't have amount of serial killers like we used to. But it's just part of things. People need to see your face and badge. If this somehow becomes a problem, because of doxing and recording, we'll figure something out. Until then, don't wear a mask.

 

[nycfan]

 

[King Hippo]

Ice impersonators come in many forms.

 

[WaynetheDrain]

In 2025, folks have the right to wear masks. When you can get threatened and your family can be targeted when you are doing what you are told, you have a right to protect yourself.

And if you don’t have proper identification that you are with ICE when you tackle someone, that person has the right to shoot you in the fucking face to defend themselves.

 

[heelinhell]

Welcome to Trump dystopia...

 

[King Hippo]

 

[dukeman92]

Yes, you're absolutely correct. ICE is something different. You're breaking up families and don't give a damn. You're an asshole. Laws be damned. This is a human thing.

Regarding regular law enforcement, I see the difficulty. Not that I agree with all they do, but someone has to do something given our current socio-economic situation. I don't defend bad cops but it must be a very difficult job for those who have to deal with very difficult people. I wouldn't want to do it, myself.

That being said, I was just watching Cops an hour or two ago. I don't know why. I suppose because I grew up watching it, when I was young and dumb. But everytime the outcome is the same: I watch for no more than one episode and then find myself sickened. Because it's making entertainment out of other's misfortune, no matter how bad they may or may not be.

But point here is that the police on Cops do not mask themselves. They sign on. Because they already signed on. They could easily be doxed.

If you ain't willing to face (literally) that potential, then don't do it. I get it's a different era. Video present almost all the time. Same reason we, fortunately, don't have amount of serial killers like we used to. But it's just part of things. People need to see your face and badge. If this somehow becomes a problem, because of doxing and recording, we'll figure something out. Until then, don't wear a mask.

Which is why "they might be doxed" is not a legitimate reason for them to hide behind plain clothes and a mask. Fuck them.

 

[altmin]

Is this the country all those "Don't Tread on Me" Republicans want to live in?

The alarming rise of US officers hiding behind masks: ‘A police state’

Mike German, an ex-FBI agent, said immigration agents hiding their identities ‘highlights the illegitimacy of actions’

www.theguardian.com

 

[King Hippo]

Is this the country all those "Don't Tread on Me" Republicans want to live in?

The alarming rise of US officers hiding behind masks: ‘A police state’

Mike German, an ex-FBI agent, said immigration agents hiding their identities ‘highlights the illegitimacy of actions’

www.theguardian.com

As long as they aren't going after the straight white Christians, they're fine with it.