MPD adopting policy to ban officers from wearing facial coverings, common council says
CBS 58 MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee Police Department will add language to its uniform standard operating procedure that explicitly prohibits officers from using facial coverings to conceal their identity, according to a release from the Milwaukee Common Council on Monday, March 2.
The policy change aligns with the council's "ICE Out Milwaukee" framework, which aims to increase transparency and accountability in local policing.
"We met with the Police Chief, delivered the message of what our constituents were demanding, and he acted. This is about responsiveness, accountability, and trust," said Alderperson JoCasta Zamarripa, who authored the SOP modification motion.
Council President José G. Pérez pointed to the broader national landscape, saying, "This is a core issue at the center of the federal shutdown right now, and without federal action, we are taking steps locally to increase transparency and accountability."
The face covering issue previously sparked a public dispute between Zamarripa and Alderman Mark Chambers, who had co-sponsored similar legislation in 2024 and took issue with the provision being included in the ICE Out package.
