KINGSTON – Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger is proposing a local law that would establish countywide standards for law enforcement identification during public-facing operations.
The proposal was prompted by ICE agents wearing masks to cover their identities while they go into communities and grab suspected criminals and other illegal immigrants.
Under Metzger’s plan, public-facing law enforcement, including those on federal, state, local and multi-agency task forces, would be required to wear visible ID including their last name, badge number, and to provide information verbally if requested.
The law would also prohibit the use of face masks unless there is a specific operational necessity like undercover work, emergency protective equipment, or other narrowly defined circumstances.
Sheriff Juan Figueroa said, “while masking can be justified in confidential investigations, it is unnecessary in routine operations.” He said public trust is eroded when law enforcement creates fear rather than common sense transparency.
Debra Clinton, chairwoman of the legislature’s Law Enforcement and Public Safety Committee, is onboard with the proposal.
“We want to make sure that whoever we are dealing with in authority is somebody we can identify, know who we are dealing with,” she said. “So, I think it is very important that there is a level of visibility so we know the person is not pretending to be law enforcement or hiding behind a mask, but that they identify who they are, and if we are going to be interacting with them, we can trust and verify that they are actually law enforcement agents.”
If adopted and an officer does not comply with the law, the matter would be reviewed through an administrative process with the county Human Rights Department.
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