CALIFORNIA – During a press conference on January 29, Los Angeles Police Department chief Jim McDonnell was asked if he was planning on enforcing a mask ban on federal agents.

California’s Senate Bill 627, known as the “No Secret Police Act” — effective January 1, 2026, bans most law‑enforcement officers—including federal agents—from wearing face coverings that conceal their identity while on duty in the state.

McDonnell said it doesn’t make sense for one armed agency to confront another over something that would likely be just a misdemeanor or minor infraction.

“It’s not a good public policy decision, and it wasn’t well thought out in my opinion,” McDonnell said.

The statement comes following the recent controversies involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, including public outcry after two fatal shootings by ICE agents in Minneapolis that sparked protests and calls for accountability.

McDonnell said you look across the country, and you see the things that are happening.

“We are in line with our federal partners on everything except immigration enforcement. What we’ve seen since June here in Los Angeles, and seen across the country, we’re as frustrated as everybody else about the way that’s being done,” McDonnell said.

He added that he was “very hopeful” for some reconciliation and a reconsideration of strategies and tactics to achieve better overall outcomes.

Rebuild relationship with immigrant communities

He ended his comment by noting the importance of the 50 years spent building relationships with immigrant communities.

“…it is critically important to us and to have that threatened in any way is something that’s sad to see and we will certainly work hard to rebuild those relationships,” McDonnell said.

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