Mayor Kaohly Her Signs Ordinance Requiring Law Enforcement to Wear Identification in Saint Paul and Responds to ICE Drawdown

SAINT PAUL, MN – Mayor Kaohly Her today signed an ordinance passed by the Saint Paul City Council requiring officers performing law enforcement duties in the city to wear identification on the outermost layer of their uniform that includes the name of the agency and their name and/or badge number.

Mayor Her released the following statement on the announcement of an end to Operation Metro Surge and signing the new ordinance:

“Any announcement of a drawdown or end to Operation Metro Surge must be followed by real action. Last week, we were told ICE would be reducing its presence in Minnesota. Yet yesterday, we witnessed a reckless high-speed chase in a densely populated, heavily visited part of our city—one that, thankfully, did not end in something far worse.

Regardless of any announced drawdown, we will continue moving forward with our work: setting clear expectations and demanding better for our residents. That’s why today I signed a new ordinance for greater transparency from federal law enforcement.

Federal law enforcement officers have too often used generic “police” uniforms to obscure their identities and avoid being clearly identified by the agencies they represent. This practice has created confusion, eroded trust, and strained relationships between our community and local law enforcement.

With this new ordinance, we are establishing clear rules of engagement and insisting on greater transparency from federal authorities. Our residents deserve to know who is operating in their city simply by looking at them. Transparency is essential to accountability—and accountability is essential to protecting the rights and safety of our community.”

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