Denver Advances Law Enforcement Mask Ban Despite Federal Conflict Concerns

By Deborah Grigsby | The Denver Gazette

A proposed ordinance prohibiting law enforcement officers from concealing their identities while interrogating, detaining, or arresting an individual in Denver moved forward to another yet-to-be-assigned City Council committee for further consideration.

The proposal, presented to members of the city’s Budget and Policy Committee on Monday by Councilmembers Flor Alvidrez and Shontel Lewis, would also prevent law enforcement from wearing face coverings within a city facility.

City officials argued the measure would address public safety fears and increase transparency, though others wondered about its implementation and effectiveness, while raising the specter of conflict between local police officers tasked to enforce the ban and federal or state officers wearing masks.

“The practice of concealment has several concerning impacts,” Alvidrez said, adding that “masked law enforcement undermines public trust” and that conflicts with local efforts to “promote transparency and accountability.”

“It discourages crime reporting and cooperation with law enforcement, particularly in communities already experiencing a strained relationship with government institutions,” she said.

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