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File #: 251797    Version:
Type: Ordinance Status: In Committee
File created: 2/10/2026 In control: PUBLIC SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE
On agenda: Final action:
Effective date:    
Title: A substitute ordinance relating to law enforcement identification.
Sponsors: ALD. BROWER, ALD. ZAMARRIPA, ALD. DIMITRIJEVIC, ALD. PEREZ, ALD. MOORE, ALD. TAYLOR, ALD. BAUMAN
Number
251797
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference

Sponsor
ALD. BROWER, ZAMARRIPA, DIMITRIJEVIC, PEREZ, TAYLOR AND BAUMAN
Title
A substitute ordinance relating to law enforcement identification.
Section
105-140 cr
Analysis
This ordinance prohibits all law enforcement officers, when acting in an official capacity, from wearing masks or face coverings and requires that both agency and individualized identification be worn. It is also requires that law enforcement vehicles clearly display agency identification. Exceptions are made for Milwaukee Police Department members because they are expected to follow applicable department standard operating procedures. Exceptions are also made for compliance with occupational health and safety regulations and for undercover assignments.
Body
The Mayor and Common Council of the City of Milwaukee do ordain as follows:

Part 1. Section 105-140 of the code is created to read:

105-140. Law Enforcement Identification.

1. PROHIBITION ON FACE COVERINGS. No law enforcement officer may wear a mask or face covering that obscures their face or identity while acting in an official capacity.

2. IDENTIFICATION. When acting in an official capacity, all law enforcement officers shall visibly wear a badge or insignia identifying the law enforcement agency the officer is representing and a marking that can be used for individualized identification, such as a badge number or nametag.

3. VEHICLES. When acting in an official capacity, no law enforcement officer may operate a vehicle that does not clearly identify the law enforcement agency the officer is representing.

4. EXCEPTIONS. a. Face coverings may be worn when working in a capacity in which occupational health and safety regulations require the use of a mask or face covering to protect against hazardous conditions.

b. The requirements of this section do not apply to members of the Milwaukee Police Department.

c. A law enforcement officer engaged in an undercover assign...

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