Criminal Concealment by a Law Enforcement Officer.
Philadelphia Code § 10-843
in effect§ 10-843. Criminal Concealment by a Law Enforcement Officer.
(1) Definitions. The following definitions shall apply to this Section:
(a) Law Enforcement Officer. Any “peace officer” as defined in 18 Pa. C.S. § 501 (relating to definitions), including but not limited to local, state or federal officers.
(2) Except as provided in subsection (3), a law enforcement officer is guilty of criminal concealment if the law enforcement officer, while performing official duties and interacting with the public:
(a) Wears a mask, facial covering, disguise or any other garment that obscures the identity of the law enforcement officer;
(b) Intentionally obscures, covers, removes or otherwise conceals a badge, tag, label or other identifying information required to be visibly displayed;
(c) Uses a vehicle in the course of official duties that does not contain clear identifying information for the entity that employs the law enforcement officer that is visible to individuals other than such law enforcement officer; or
(d) Fails to identify themselves to a subject of arrest, holding or detention or to provide identifying information upon request to the subject of an arrest after an arrest has been made.
(3) Exceptions.
(a) A law enforcement officer shall not be in violation of subsection (2)(a) if the officer:
(.1) Wears a medical-grade mask or respirator necessary to prevent the transmission of airborne illnesses;
(.2) Wears a mask for a religious purpose;
(.3) Wears protective equipment designed to safeguard the face or head issued as part of duties associated with a Special Weapons and Tactics team; or
(.4) Wears an item as a mask designed to protect against smoke or hazardous conditions during fire response or similar emergencies.
(b) A law enforcement officer shall not be in violation of subsection (2) if the law enforcement officer is employed by a law enforcement agency that maintains and publicly posts a written policy pursuant to Section 10-848.
(4) Grading. A violation of this section shall be a summary offense and upon conviction thereof, a violator shall be sentenced to pay a fine pursuant to Philadelphia Code § 1-109 per incident or undergo imprisonment for a period not exceeding ninety (90) days, or both, in addition to any other penalties imposed.
(5) Enforcement. The District Attorney shall have the right to bring an action in a court of competent jurisdiction in this Commonwealth against any law enforcement officer under this section.
(6) Severability. If any provision of this Section or application thereof to any person or circumstance is judged invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the Section which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this Section are declared severable.
Notes
317.1 | Added, Bill No. 260060 (became law May 8, 2026), effective July 7, 2026.
Source: City of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Code and Home Rule Charter (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/philadelphia/latest/philadelphia_pa/0-0-0-309116Fetched: 10/27/2026