City Manager’s Office
www.santa-ana.org/cm
Item # 14
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
July 15, 2025
TOPIC: Resolution Supporting Senate Bills 627 and 805, and H.R. 4176 – the No Secret Police Act
AGENDA TITLE
Resolution Supporting Senate Bill 627 (Wiener, Arreguín, Pérez), Senate Bill 805 (Pérez), and H.R. 4176 (Correa) – the No Secret Police Act
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Adopt a Resolution supporting Senate Bill 627, Senate Bill 805, and H.R. 4176, the No Secret Police Act, to promote law enforcement transparency and accountability by requiring officers to display visible identification and limiting the use of face coverings that obscure identity, except under narrowly defined safety circumstances.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-XXX entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA SUPPORTING CALIFORNIA SENATE BILLS 627 (WIENER, PEREZ, ARREGUÍN), AND 805 (PEREZ, WIENER) AND H.R. 4176 (CORREA), TO PROMOTE LAW ENFORCEMENT TRANSPARENCY AND
ACCOUNTABILITY
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: No
DISCUSSION
Recent events in Santa Ana and across the country have involved law enforcement officers, including federal immigration agents, operating while masked and unidentified during public interactions, such as peaceful protests and immigration-related actions.
These practices have caused confusion, fear, and mistrust among residents, particularly those in immigrant and mixed-status communities. Concerns have also been raised regarding impersonation, overreach, and lack of accountability.
Senate Bill 627, introduced by Senators Scott Wiener and Jesse Arreguín, would prohibit California law enforcement officers from wearing face coverings that obscure their identities during public interactions, with exceptions made for medical,
Resolution Supporting Senate Bills 627 and 805, and H.R. 4176 – the No Secret Police Act
July 15, 2025
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environmental, or tactical safety reasons. It also requires visible identification and agency markings on uniforms.
Senate Bill 805, authored by Senator Aisha Wahab Pérez, would require officers to clearly display their name or badge number while on duty and prevent individuals from impersonating law enforcement, addressing growing incidents of abuse and fear in immigrant communities.
At the federal level, H.R. 4176 – the No Secret Police Act, introduced by Congressman Lou Correa and other members of Congress, would prohibit federal officers, particularly from the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), from conducting public operations while masked or lacking agency identification. The bill was introduced following community outcry over masked ICE agents operating without accountability in cities like Santa Ana.
These three legislative measures respond to urgent calls for transparency, accountability, and the protection of constitutional rights. They align with the City of Santa Ana’s values of inclusivity, public safety, and civil liberties. The City Council’s support for these bills affirms its commitment to a community where residents can feel safe and secure in public spaces, free from intimidation or surveillance by unidentified officers.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
There is no environmental impact associated with this action.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Resolution No. 2025-XXX Supporting Senate Bill 627, Senate Bill 805, and House Resolution 4176 – the No Secret Police Act
Submitted By: Sylvia Vazquez, Deputy City Manager
Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager