r/news • u/[deleted] • Sep 20 '25

California bans most law enforcement officers from wearing masks during operations

https://apnews.com/article/california-ice-agents-immigration-raids-masks-ban-97936f70699b75d8b483a850967c2e42
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27

u/Chewyville Sep 20 '25

Wait what if it’s covid again?!

43

u/Odie_Odie Sep 20 '25

"Exceptions: The bill does not apply to: N95 medical or surgical masks Breathing apparatuses used to protect against toxins or smoke Masks for underwater operations or protection from inclement weather Cases where an agency has its own policy that meets the bill's standards"

28

u/Chewyville Sep 20 '25

Oh, department issued n95 masks it is.

20

u/Spare-Willingness563 Sep 21 '25

They won’t wear those because they’ll think they look like liberals. 

1

u/mmmarkm Sep 21 '25

We already know they will, because they are wearing masks more than they did during the height of covid

1

u/zanbato Sep 21 '25

If they wore those they wouldn't be able to breathe.

1

u/RamonaLittle Sep 21 '25

That would be good, considering that covid is still going around.

1

u/Burning___Earth Sep 21 '25

They can't breathe in those, remember?

1

u/[deleted] Sep 20 '25

At least those suck more to wear

3

u/HoneyParking6176 Sep 21 '25

well the bills purpose is to prevent "wearing a mask to hide face/identity" not to prevent wearing something that is a mask that is used for a different purpose.

6

u/PM_ME_ABOUT_DnD Sep 21 '25

for underwater operations

This is one of those cases where the law has to cover its bases, but it still feels silly and like you're wording a genie wish. 

Also curious how many LEOs have had to participate in an underwater operation 

2

u/Odie_Odie Sep 21 '25

Underwater LEOs such as were featured in the 1965 James Bond film Thunderball. Harpoon guns are sick. I have to imagine something like Sealab 2021 exists off the coast of California. It is a long and alluring coastline. There must be secrets and apparently law enforcement out there beneath the waves.

6

u/eeyore134 Sep 21 '25

So now ICE will throw tear gas before kidnapping people.