A California statute that prohibits federal law enforcement officers from wearing masks while performing their duties will not be enforced by the Los Angeles Police Department, according to LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell.

Speaking with KABC, McDonnell said it would be unreasonable for one armed law enforcement agency to confront another, warning that such an approach would only create unnecessary conflict. He took aim at the No Secret Police Act, arguing that it reflects poor judgment and a lack of careful consideration.

McDonnell has also voiced criticism over how immigration enforcement operations have been carried out in Los Angeles, distancing his department from those actions.

“We are in line with our federal partners on everything except immigration enforcement,” he said.

“What we’ve seen since June here in Los Angeles and seen across the country, we’re as frustrated as everybody else — about the way that’s being done,” McDonnell added.

The police chief said he worries that aggressive enforcement tactics could discourage residents from contacting police when they need assistance, though he acknowledged there has been no documented decline in calls for service.

In an appearance on “Good Day Los Angeles,” McDonnell emphasized that the LAPD does not cooperate with federal law enforcement agencies on immigration matters.

“We’ve been solid on that since 1979. That’s been our policy,” he said.

“That’s worked for us. We cannot afford to alienate immigrant communities within Los Angeles,” McDonnell continued.

“We’ve built up trust over many years, and we can’t afford to lose that trust,” he said.

“We’ve tried to be as clear as we can about what our position is relative to ICE and immigration enforcement. We don’t work with ICE on that,” McDonnell added.

The mask ban has also drawn sharp criticism from the Department of Homeland Security. Tricia McLaughlin, a DHS spokesperson, said the law violates the Constitution.

“At a time that ICE law enforcement faces a 1,000% increase in assaults and their family members are being doxxed and targeted, the sitting Governor of California signed unconstitutional legislation that strips law enforcement of protections in a disgusting, diabolical fundraising and PR stunt,” McLaughlin said in a statement issued last fall when the bill was signed.

California has since agreed not to implement the law while a lawsuit brought by the Trump administration proceeds through the courts.

{Matzav.com}