LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell Says Department Will Not Enforce California SB 627 “No Secret Police Act”
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell announced the department will not enforce California Senate Bill 627 — the “No Secret Police Act” — citing tactical safety concerns, de-escalation priorities and legal uncertainty surrounding the measure. Fox News
- LAPD non-enforcement: LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said the department will not take steps to enforce SB 627.
- About the law: SB 627, the “No Secret Police Act,” was authored by Sen. Scott Wiener and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom; it took effect Jan. 1, 2026.
- Safety concerns: McDonnell argued enforcing the mask ban could create dangerous standoffs and would conflict with the LAPD’s de-escalation goals.
- Legal pause: A federal judge has issued a temporary stay while the law faces challenges; review and agreements are ongoing (Los Angeles Times).
Background on California SB 627
SB 627 was introduced to increase transparency and to limit federal agents’ ability to conceal their identities during enforcement actions. Supporters labeled it the “No Secret Police Act” to emphasize protections for community members against covert operations. The bill was authored by Sen. Scott Wiener and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom; the signing and legislative intent are described in a Fox News report.
Proponents say the law promotes accountability and reduces fear in immigrant communities. Opponents — including federal authorities — contend states cannot regulate how federal officers perform their duties. That legal dispute is now playing out in federal court and news coverage highlights competing constitutional arguments (Los Angeles Times).
Why McDonnell says the LAPD will not enforce SB 627
Chief McDonnell framed the decision as a practical safety choice: the LAPD’s primary role when arriving at scenes is to de-escalate, not to create conflict with another armed agency. He warned that attempting to enforce what would likely be a misdemeanor or infraction against federal officers risks dangerous confrontations. See Fox News for his full remarks.
“From a practical standpoint, our role when we get to a scene is to de-escalate the situation, not to ramp it up. Trying to enforce a misdemeanor violation on another law enforcement agency, that’s not going to end well,” Chief McDonnell said.
He added that the idea of “one armed agency approaching another armed agency to create conflict” makes no tactical sense and is “not a good public policy decision,” an assessment covered in local reporting (L.A. Taco).
McDonnell reiterated the LAPD’s long-standing policy limiting participation in immigration enforcement with ICE — intended to preserve community trust — while noting cooperation continues on other federal priorities such as terrorism and trafficking (Los Angeles Times).
Legal and federal context
SB 627 faces immediate legal challenge. Critics argue the law conflicts with the Supremacy Clause, which can preempt state restrictions on federal functions. A federal judge issued a temporary stay and related enforcement mechanisms are on hold while courts consider those constitutional claims (Los Angeles Times).
Legal experts say courts will need to decide whether California can regulate aspects of federal agents’ conduct that touch on operational safety, or whether such rules intrude impermissibly on federal authority.
Reactions from lawmakers and advocates
Responses split along political and policy lines. Some state lawmakers criticized McDonnell for what they called selective enforcement; State Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena), a co-author of related immigrant-protection legislation, said a police chief “does not get to pick and choose which laws will be enforced.”
Civil-rights and immigrant-advocacy groups defend measures aimed at limiting anonymous federal tactics, citing concerns about doxxing and threats to agents’ families. Conversely, ICE officials argue masks protect agents and their families from retaliation while still allowing for accountability (Fox News).
LAPD and ICE: a complicated relationship
The LAPD’s stance draws on decades of operational policy. Since 1979 the department has limited cooperation with federal immigration enforcement to help build trust in immigrant neighborhoods, while still partnering with federal agencies on shared priorities and large events.
City funding ties and operational needs — including coordination for major events like the World Cup and the Olympics — complicate any move that might create direct friction with federal officers on the street. Chief McDonnell emphasized that non-enforcement is about avoiding escalation, not endorsing ICE’s tactics (Fox LA).
Reporting to date shows no instances of the LAPD confronting ICE over masks; the department’s approach aligns with its stated practice of safety-first decision-making (Fox News).
Implications for The Imperial Valley
Local officials and residents in the Imperial Valley — an area with many immigrant families and farmworkers — may see a range of effects if regional agencies follow the LAPD’s approach.
- Public safety and trust: If local departments avoid direct enforcement against ICE over mask rules, there may be fewer street confrontations between agencies, lowering short-term risks of violent clashes but potentially leaving some residents feeling legally unprotected. Clear communication from local law enforcement will be essential (Los Angeles Times).
- Law enforcement cooperation and resources: The Imperial Valley often relies on federal help for trafficking and other investigations. Strained relations over SB 627 could complicate joint efforts and affect coordination for regional investigations or large events.
- Local politics and policy debate: County and city leaders will face pressure from immigrant-rights and law-and-order advocates. Expect town halls and county meetings to debate how local agencies will handle federal agents operating in the region (La Local).
- Worker and family concerns: Fear of immigration enforcement affects crime reporting and cooperation. If departments publicly decline to enforce SB 627 to avoid clashes, community groups will likely press for stronger local protections and clearer communication so victims and witnesses feel safe (Fox LA).
- Practical response steps: Local leaders may issue guidance on interactions with federal officers, train for de-escalation at joint scenes, run public-information campaigns about residents’ rights, and coordinate with legal-aid and immigrant-rights groups to help people understand protections and reporting options (Fox News).
Bottom line: The LAPD’s refusal to enforce SB 627 underscores the tension between state-level efforts to protect communities and practical, safety-driven policing decisions when federal officers operate on city streets. Courts and local leaders will play key roles as the dispute unfolds.
