Officers would face limits on hiding their faces on duty

On-duty officers would be barred from wearing coverings that hide their faces. The restriction would cover opaque masks, clothing, helmets, and other items that hide an officer’s facial identity. Officers assigned to special weapons and tactics teams, commonly called SWAT teams, would be exempt while actively performing their responsibilities. Clear coverings that leave officers identifiable and medical masks used to prevent disease transmission would be excluded. Exclusions also cover equipment needed for environmental hazards or underwater work, motorcycle helmets needed for safe vehicle operation, and eyewear needed against lasers or retinal weapons.

Law enforcement agencies in Arizona would maintain a face-covering policy and publish it on their websites. Covered agencies include city police, county sheriffs, publicly funded law enforcement departments, and Arizona’s Department of Public Safety. The definition also includes federal officers or agents with federal arrest powers. Policies would affirm openness, accountability, and public trust while limiting face coverings to specific circumstances. For sworn officers, policies would allow coverings during undercover work authorized by the agency or a court order and tactical operations requiring protective gear for safety.