Oregon law sets officer identification, face-covering, and cooperation rules

Officers must display their last name or an identifying number, their agency’s name, and an official badge. It covers officers employed or contracted by Oregon, federal, and other-state law enforcement agencies while on duty and directly engaged in law enforcement activities. This rule does not apply during undercover duties, security or escort details, certain off-duty emergency responses, or a detective’s active investigative work. The requirement applies while an officer is on duty and actively engaged in official law enforcement activities.

Agencies must publish a policy limiting face coverings, and officers generally may not wear coverings that hide their faces while on official duty. These rules cover sworn officers performing official duties for Oregon, federal, and other-state law enforcement agencies operating in Oregon. Exceptions include undercover work, necessary face protection during active tactical duties, and extreme or severely inclement weather. Medical and other necessary protective equipment, among other items, are excluded from the definition of a facial covering. While votes in a state or federal election are being collected or counted, officers on duty may not wear a facial covering within 250 feet of specified ballot drop-off, ballot-marking, or voting sites. The public, an oversight body, or a local government may object to a policy. If the agency does not fix a deficiency within 180 days, the objector may seek a court order. Local governments may set stricter rules if they include the listed exceptions. Agencies must adopt the policy within 180 days after the law took effect. The officer restriction begins 180 days after the law took effect.

Public body and law enforcement employees must not intentionally help certain outside investigations or operations when they know they target protected activity or groups. The rules cover employees of Oregon state and local law enforcement agencies and other public bodies, including Oregon Health and Science University, when acting within their jobs or as agents. The investigation or arrest must target protected speech or association, membership in a protected group, or an unlawful search, seizure, or surveillance activity, and the employee must know this. Required actions, court-issued legal process, and public information offered on the same terms as to everyone are allowed. A public body may request an attestation under penalty of perjury; help provided after receiving one does not violate these rules. Agencies and public bodies must adopt policies against intentionally helping operations targeting protected activity, protected groups, or people’s political, religious, or social views. Covered agencies and public bodies must adopt the required policy within 180 days after the law took effect.

Civil defense volunteers acting within their duties are agents of a public body for purposes of the Oregon Tort Claims Act. This applies to volunteers in the Oregon State Police Civil Defense Force and county civil defense forces. They must show relevant experience or training. Volunteering alone does not make these volunteers state employees, state-service workers, or members of the Oregon Civil Defense Force. Unless another law provides compensation or coverage, volunteers are not entitled to pay, expense reimbursement, workers’ compensation, insurance, or public employment benefits from state or local agencies.