Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell said his department will not enforce a new California law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom that restricts law enforcement officers from wearing face coverings, citing safety and public policy concerns.

In September, Newsom signed the No Secret Police Act, also known as Senate Bill 627, which prohibits federal, state, and local law enforcement officers from wearing ski masks, neck gaiters, or other face coverings that conceal their identities while performing official duties.

The law applies broadly, including to federal agencies such as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security.

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California has been a sanctuary state since 2017, when then-Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation limiting cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.

Newsom has continued that policy since taking office and has frequently criticized President Donald Trump and ICE over immigration enforcement efforts.

The new law has drawn criticism from law enforcement officials who argue it places local police in the position of confronting armed federal agents over minor violations. McDonnell addressed the issue during an appearance on Fox Los Angeles’ “Good Day LA,” where he made clear that the LAPD would not take part in enforcing the directive.

“The reality of one armed agency approaching another armed agency to create conflict over something that would be a misdemeanor at best, or an infraction. It doesn’t make any sense,” McDonnell said.

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

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McDonnell explained that enforcing the law would run counter to the LAPD’s core responsibilities, particularly in volatile situations involving crowds, protests, or federal enforcement actions.

“From a practical standpoint, our role when we get to a scene is to de-escalate the situation, not to ramp it up,” McDonnell said.

“Trying to enforce a misdemeanor violation on another law enforcement agency, that’s not going to end well. And that’s not going to be good.”

He further warned that such enforcement could increase the risk of violence or disorder.

“From a public safety standpoint for anybody in that environment. Potentially you have a crowd that could be agitated and trying to get their point across,” McDonnell said.

“And then you have the ICE agents who are doing their job. And for us to come in then and try and create an enforcement action for wearing a mask, it’s not a safe way to do business.”

The chief’s remarks come amid ongoing tensions between California officials and federal immigration authorities. Newsom has opposed ICE operations in the state and has supported policies that limit cooperation between local agencies and federal immigration enforcement.

At the same time, California has faced budgetary pressures tied to expanded public spending, including healthcare and other benefits extended to individuals residing in the state illegally.

McDonnell’s comments highlight a growing divide between state political leadership and local law enforcement officials tasked with maintaining order on the ground.

While SB 627 remains state law, enforcement would require local agencies to initiate citations or arrests against officers from other law enforcement agencies, including federal ones.

Law enforcement experts have raised concerns that such confrontations could escalate quickly, particularly during active enforcement operations or protests. McDonnell emphasized that LAPD officers are trained to reduce tension, not create new points of conflict between armed agencies.

The issue surfaced as LAPD officers were already dealing with unrest in Los Angeles.

On Friday night, officers responding to separate incidents were met with projectiles, including water bottles, thrown by members of a crowd, further highlighting the challenges faced by police during radical anti-ICE activist temper tantrums.

BREAKING : Chaos is unfolding as the protests turn violent. Water bottles and rocks being thrown at federal agents retreating, protestors pepper sprayed as agents attempt to keep control.

Agents are vastly outnumbered, no local police presence after over an hour of turmoil. pic.twitter.com/oCli2wCuoI

— Anthony (@anthonycabassa) January 31, 2026

The governor’s office has previously defended SB 627 as a transparency measure intended to ensure accountability in law enforcement operations.

However, McDonnell’s refusal to enforce the law signals potential resistance from local police leadership, particularly when compliance could place officers and the public at risk.

His comments suggest that, regardless of state policy objectives, local departments may prioritize operational safety and de-escalation over enforcement of laws they view as impractical.

The disagreement reflects broader national debates over immigration enforcement, federal authority, and the role of state and local governments.

As immigration remains a central political issue, clashes between elected officials and law enforcement leaders are likely to continue, especially in states that have adopted sanctuary policies.

For now, LAPD leadership has made clear that it will not participate in enforcing the mask restriction against federal agents, citing concerns that such actions could undermine public safety and law enforcement coordination.

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