Crimes.

Senators Pérez and Wiener's law enforcement identification measure establishes new requirements for non-uniformed officers and strengthens penalties for impersonating public safety personnel. The legislation requires law enforcement agencies operating in California to develop and publicly post policies by January 2026 mandating that non-uniformed officers display identification showing their agency affiliation and either their name or badge number during enforcement activities.

The bill updates multiple sections of state law addressing impersonation of public safety personnel, expanding prohibitions to cover impersonation through electronic means and clarifying that federal law enforcement officers are included within scope. It sets misdemeanor penalties for violations, including fines up to $2,000 and jail terms ranging from six months to one year. Uniform vendors must verify purchaser credentials or face criminal penalties.

The measure includes targeted exemptions from identification requirements for undercover operations, plainclothes officers in specified agencies, tactical teams, and exigent circumstances where identification could compromise safety. It also prohibits bail fugitive recovery agents from engaging in immigration enforcement or sharing personally identifiable information for such purposes without judicial authorization. The legislation creates a mechanism for public challenges to agency identification policies, requiring agencies to address deficiencies within 90 days or face potential judicial review.