Missouri county considers ordinance banning law enforcement from wearing masks while on duty
By Brian Johnson
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JACKSON COUNTY, Missouri (KMBC) — A proposed Jackson County ordinance would ban most law enforcement officers from wearing masks while on duty, requiring their faces and badges to remain visible except in limited situations such as undercover work, SWAT operations or the execution of warrants.
Ordinance 6050 would also require agencies to adopt written policies governing those exceptions and to report annually to county lawmakers on when and how they are used. Officers who violate the rule could face criminal misdemeanor charges and potential civil liability.
Jackson County Legislature Chair Manny Abarca III said the measure is designed to create uniform standards and accountability.
“This is a uniform policy. This isn’t anything that’s new or innovative. This is a very basic mechanism to keep us all safe,” Abarca said.
Abarca said he is open to amendments as lawmakers continue to debate the proposal.
“I don’t think there’s any advocate out there saying they want their law enforcement agencies to cover their badges, cover their faces, and cover their names. And so we just need to navigate through this political rhetoric,” he said.
The ordinance was first introduced last month. Abarca, a fourth-generation Mexican American, said he has been racially profiled by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the past and argued the legislation is needed as a check on what he described as the current administration’s approach to law enforcement.
“The aimlessness and approach and tactics of this administration, are counter to democracy, to our democratic values,” Abarca said. “And so that reality we need to check this administration, or it’s going to get worse, faster.”
Jackson County Sheriff Darryl Forte has criticized the proposal, saying it was written without input from officers and would restrict what he called “reasonable actions necessary to protect life.”
Sixth District Legislator Sean Smith also raised concerns about the measure’s impact on de-escalation in tense situations.
“We can simply de-escalate if both sides are willing to. And, I don’t think that telling them they can’t wear a mask is going to be effective,” Smith said.
County lawmakers are expected to continue discussions on the ordinance as it moves through the legislative process.
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