PHILADELPHIA, PA – In a fiery address that reignited debate over law enforcement identification and accountability, Philadelphia County Sheriff Rochelle Bilal declared that “no law enforcement professional wears a mask,” denouncing what she called “fake, made-up ICE” agents and other masked groups posing as officers.
A simple Google search of Philadelphia SWAT or Philadelphia Police shows numerous photos of Philadelphia police officers wearing masks, especially on warrant enforcement operations similar to the ones being carried out by ICE.
Speaking passionately at a Thursday press event, Bilal invoked the name of Renee Good, a woman whose death she said “should not have happened,” linking her remarks to broader concerns over unidentifiable armed individuals operating under the guise of law enforcement.
Bilal’s remarks sharply contrasted with everyday practice in Philadelphia, where police officers are at times required to wear protective face coverings and many Philadelphia police officers are seen wearing masks each day…