There’s been a lot of talk in Trenton lately about how law enforcement presents itself to the public, and a new bill has started moving that puts the spotlight on something most people probably don’t think about unless they happen to experience it firsthand. It has to do with masks—not the medical kind we all got used to a few years ago, but the kind officers sometimes wear during operations that aren’t undercover. The question being raised is whether they should still be allowed to.
Earlier this month, State Sen. Benjie Wimberly introduced a bill, S-4868, that would make it illegal for law enforcement officers, including ICE agents, to cover their faces while on duty. This applies to federal, state, county, and local officers. The language is pretty direct. And the consequences, if the bill becomes law, wouldn’t be minor. Anyone who violates it could face a disorderly persons offense, fines that land somewhere between $500 and $1,000, and even a stretch of up to six months in jail.
It’s not written as a blanket rule, though. There are some exceptions spelled out. Undercover assignments still qualify as an acceptable reason. The same goes for medical issues, protective shields, or situations where there’s heavy smoke during an emergency. Basically, if there’s an obvious reason to have your face covered, the law wouldn’t get in the way. Everything else, the bill tries to address.
The proposed bill states: “This bill prohibits the wearing of any mask or disguise by a law 36 enforcement officer while interacting with the public in the 37 performance of the officer’s official duties.”
Wimberly has said the whole idea is tied to safety and making sure people know who they’re interacting with. He pointed out that someone could pretend to be a masked ICE officer, pull a fake authority move, and create a dangerous situation before anyone realizes what’s going on. According to him, the goal is to offer “security” for citizens of the state.
There’s a second bill moving at the same time, this one in the Assembly. Assemblywoman Annette Quijano introduced A-6002, which focuses on clear identification during public operations. Her bill would require officers to show both their agency name and either a badge number or their own name so the public isn’t left guessing. She explained the reasoning in a press release, saying, “We know that sometimes individuals interacting with law enforcement agents can feel quite intimidated, and it is important that we have as much transparency as possible.” She added, “In addition, it is our hope that this bill will help build public trust and foster cooperation with law enforcement.”
Both proposals tap into a wider conversation happening in New Jersey about how visible and identifiable law enforcement should be, especially in situations where quick decisions and tense environments can make people confused about who’s who. Supporters say the changes could stop impersonation and lower the tension during certain encounters. Others worry about whether these rules could complicate rare situations where officers genuinely need face coverings for reasons not written into the exceptions.
For now, the bills are working their way through the usual discussions and committee reviews. Whether they pass or get reshaped along the way, the debate itself shows that New Jersey is trying to sort out what transparency should look like during real-world policing—especially when federal immigration enforcement is part of the picture.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.