Bass orders LAPD to switch on body-worn cameras when arriving at ICE raids

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass signed an executive directive this week requiring Los Angeles Police Department officers turn on their body-worn cameras when arriving at the scene of a federal immigration enforcement operation.

During a news conference at City Hall, Bass said the directive is intended to establish additional safety measures during federal immigration enforcement actions in the city.

The order also requires LAPD officers who respond to an immigration enforcement scene to capture video and preserve the video. LAPD officers must also take down the name and badge number of the agents’ supervisors, who are on the field, as well as call emergency personnel if someone is injured.

LAPD officers are being tasked with writing reports on alleged misconduct by federal agents that may be seen by witnesses.

Bass called on the Board of Police Commissioners to take actions to comply with the requirements of California Senate Bills 627 and 805, which address the use of facial coverings and visible identification by federal agents.

A Los Angeles federal judge on Monday blocked enforcement of SB 627 which limits when federal agents can wear masks while engaged in deportation operations.

Bass’ order further bars federal immigration agents from using city-owned properties for staging or other purposes. The city is expected to enact a fee on individuals who allow federal agents to use their private property.

“What we have seen in all of our districts is ICE go and attempt to stage at various properties, public or private. It instructs LAPD officers to preserve all evidence related to immigration enforcement activities so that it can be reported,” Bass said in reference to the districts of the City Council members who were present at the news conference.

Per LAPD policy, officers are supposed to turn on their body cameras when responding to a call for service or when another law enforcement agency requests aid.

“As it pertains to police officers, the mayor’s directive serves an important purpose in that it informs the public of the high standards the LAPD already adheres to and currently implements when it comes to activating body-worn cameras, rendering aid, deploying de-escalation tactics in volatile situations, preserving evidence of a potential crime and assisting the public report suspected criminal activity,” according to a statement from the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union representing LAPD officers the rank of lieutenant and below.

“These standards are ingrained in every officer and the public being made aware of these current standards is a positive development.”

City departments and agencies are expected to report on all city-owned property and provide a plan to ensure federal agents do not use them for their operations.

Bass’ latest directive builds on a previous one in which she ordered that no city resources are used to assist in the federal government’s crackdown on illegal immigration.

There was no immediate response to a request for comment from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The Trump administration has maintained that immigration enforcement is focused on the criminals.

There was no immediate response from the LAPD asking if it would enforce the new order.

Chief Jim McDonnell previously stated he would not enforce a mask ban on federal agents as established by SB 627.

“The reality of one armed agency approaching another armed agency to create conflict over something that would be a misdemeanor at best or an infraction doesn’t make any sense,” McDonnell said previously.

Bass said she has had conversations with McDonnell.

“He is fully aware of the executive directive. I’ve also talked to him and raised concerns about the masking law. And to me, of course, the Los Angeles Police Department is going to enforce the law. We’ll wait and see what happens in the courts. I will have continued conversations,” Bass said during Tuesday’s news conference.