FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 11, 2026
Saint Paul City Council Adopts ORD 26-6 Requiring Visible Identification for Law Enforcement Officers
SAINT PAUL – The Saint Paul City Council voted 6–0 to strengthen protections for immigrant communities by adopting ORD 26-6. The ordinance adds Chapter 268A to the Legislative Code and requires law enforcement officers to visibly display identification on the outermost layer of their uniforms while performing official duties.
ORD 26-6 reinforces the importance of ensuring that all people, regardless of immigration status, can clearly identify law enforcement officers. Councilmember Molly Coleman of Ward 4 emphasized this point by noting, “When agents of the state wield power over the lives of people in Saint Paul, our residents deserve to know who they are and under what authority they are operating. This common-sense measure, requiring all law enforcement officers to follow the same practice as officers of the Saint Paul Police Department, is essential for public safety, transparency, and accountability.”
Council President Rebecca Noecker added, “Transparency and accountability are essential to building trust between law enforcement and our community. By requiring visible identification, we make it easier to distinguish authorized officers from bad actors and strengthen confidence in those sworn to protect us. I’m proud to support this commonsense measure.”
The ordinance affirms a standard that recent events in Minnesota have tragically shown to be necessary. In June 2025, former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, were assassinated by an individual who allegedly impersonated a law enforcement officer. On the same day, State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were also critically wounded by the same individual. These events underscore why clear identification of law enforcement officers is a matter of public safety and accountability.
Furthermore, the tactics and methods of federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota have harmed communities and made it difficult for residents to report or hold officers accountable for misconduct, including violent or illegal activity. Failure on the part of law enforcement to be clearly identifiable by name and/or badge number to the public as they carry out official duties undermines public trust and increases the opportunity for individuals with insidious motives to harass or harm others.
“As a Councilmember and as a resident of this city, I believe that requiring visible identification for officers performing law enforcement duties is a basic standard of public safety and accountability,” said Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson, representing Ward 7. “When residents can clearly identify who is exercising lawful authority, it protects the community, supports enforcement officers who serve with integrity, and prevents confusion that can be exploited by those acting in bad faith. This ordinance is not symbolic — it is a clear affirmation that in Saint Paul, transparency, trust, and the safety of every resident are non-negotiable.”
The Saint Paul City Council has made clear that it will hold the line and take action, as a lack of clear identification by officers erodes trust and generates fear. “Officials being clearly identifiable in their duties is an obvious standard practice in the profession of Law Enforcement. It should embarrass the federal government that we have to outline this baseline practice in law for them, but they appear incapable of shame,” said Councilmember Saura Jost of Ward 3.
The importance of such measures is further reinforced nationally. This week in California, U.S. District Judge Christina Snyder upheld the state’s law (SB 627) requiring law enforcement officers to be identifiable by agency and badge number. This ruling, along with other existing laws, reaffirms that ORD 26-6 aligns with established legal precedent aimed at ensuring accountability, transparency, and public safety.
About the Saint Paul City Council:
The Saint Paul City Council is the city’s legislative body, setting policy, adopting budgets, and providing direct constituent services across the city’s wards. Learn more at https://www.stpaul.gov/department/city-council