I was under the impression that American police generally did not wear balaclava type masks (ski masks) for a variety of reasons: so that their fellow officers could recognize them, so that members of the public could recognize them in the event of a dispute, etc.
I noticed that some of the officers on the scene of the shooting yesterday in Washington at the Holocaust Museum were wearing balaclava-type masks (see pictures below). I don't recall seeing officers in public dressed like this before. It certainly wasn't cold so this wasn't a weather decision.
I'm curious why some officers like this would be wearing masks and if there is any kind of departmental policy on a matter like this when the officer's features are hidden. I seem to remember reading that the LAPD prohibited masks like this. I've seen NYPD officers wear modified balaclava in the winter but their entire face is visible, only the neck and sides of head are covered.
Some of the masked officers were patrolling the perimeter of the building, walking back and forth whereas others were standing in posts at corners of the building as seen in the first two pictures below.



I noticed that some of the officers on the scene of the shooting yesterday in Washington at the Holocaust Museum were wearing balaclava-type masks (see pictures below). I don't recall seeing officers in public dressed like this before. It certainly wasn't cold so this wasn't a weather decision.
I'm curious why some officers like this would be wearing masks and if there is any kind of departmental policy on a matter like this when the officer's features are hidden. I seem to remember reading that the LAPD prohibited masks like this. I've seen NYPD officers wear modified balaclava in the winter but their entire face is visible, only the neck and sides of head are covered.
Some of the masked officers were patrolling the perimeter of the building, walking back and forth whereas others were standing in posts at corners of the building as seen in the first two pictures below.




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