K-0304 Facial Coverings.pdf

Kern County Sheriff’s Office Policies and Procedures TITLE: Facial Coverings NO: K-0304 REFERENCE: Government Code 7289, Penal Code 185.5 APPROVED: Donny Youngblood, Sheriff-Coroner EFFECTIVE: REVIEWED: REVISED: UPDATED: January 1, 2026 November 24, 2025 November 24, 2025 December 12, 2025 POLICY The purpose of this policy is to affirm the Sheriff’s Office commitment to transparency, accountability, and public trust; to establish clear limits on the use of facial coverings by sworn personnel; and to ensure compliance with Government Code 7289, which requires law enforcement agencies in California to maintain and publicly post a written policy regarding use of facial coverings. This policy is intended to prevent indiscriminate use of masks that obscure identity and undermine trust; ensure use is narrowly tailored, necessary, and documented. DEFINITIONS Facial Covering: Any opaque mask, garment, helmet, headgear, or other item that conceals or obscures the facial identity of an individua