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Council adopts ordinance requiring identification, limits on masked operations by law enforcement
Summary
The council adopted Ordinance 26‑7 requiring law‑enforcement officers to conduct operations without masks or facial coverings except in limited exceptions and to wear identifying information; leaders described the measure as advancing accountability and transparency and it passed unanimously.
The Saint Paul City Council adopted Ordinance 26‑7, amending the legislative code to require law enforcement officers to conduct operations without masks or facial coverings unless a specific exception applies and to require identification in the field.
Vice President Kim, speaking in favor, framed the measure as one of accountability and community trust, saying the ordinance was part of “legislating for love” and efforts to ensure residents can identify officers during operations. Council Member Yang said the ordinance seeks to increase transparency and address residents’ fears when agents are present in neighborhoods.
Several council members praised staff work and emphasized the ordinance is one step in broader efforts; the measure passed on final adoption by a 6–0 recorded vote.
What the ordinance does: it adds requirements to the code (chapter cited in agenda as a new chapter 268b) to restrict masked law‑enforcement operations except for enumerated exceptions and to require identification; the council discussed implementation and exceptions at length during prior readings.
Next steps: city departments will finalize implementation procedures and training to ensure operations comply with the new code language and identified exceptions.
