Message from Chief Boysen on KVET Mask Usage Policy Changes
Published on August 06, 2025
Today, I’m sharing an update on our mask policy to help address recent public comments made on Monday, August 4, 2025, at the Kalamazoo City Commission meeting about Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team (KVET) investigators wearing masks to conceal their identities.
To provide some context: since the 1990s, KVET investigators operating in undercover roles have been permitted to wear masks in order to protect their identities. Recognizing that this practice might raise concerns—particularly in light of the current national discourse around law enforcement and federal agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement, I began reviewing our internal policies several months ago, which already limited instances where masks could be worn (See previous policy below).
Wearing of Personal Identity Protection Shield (Mask) 508.1
PURPOSE To maximize the safety of police personnel while assigned to undercover investigations and minimize citizen fears of masked persons.
508.2 PROCEDURE (a) Officers who are working undercover may be placed in danger if they are observed with uniformed police. Face shields may be worn when officers working undercover investigations believe that their identities may be compromised.
1. Officers should limit their use of face shields to the time they are actually in direct presence of identifiable police personnel or marked police vehicles.
2. Officers shall consider community perception while wearing face shields. Officers shall try not to confuse or frighten citizens; therefore, officers should try to avoid wearing face shields while parked in an undercover vehicle in the community.
(b) Officers wearing face shields must also wear highly visible police markings, such as shirts or jackets with enlarged POLICE lettering. (c) During search warrant operations, officers wearing face shields will be no closer than fourth officer through the door, following unmasked uniformed officers.
Following the policy review, I directed the Divisional Commander on July 15 to implement stricter guidelines to include:
- No officer is permitted to wear a mask during initial contact with suspects or while executing a search warrant.
- Masks can only be worn after a scene is secured, and only by officers working in an undercover capacity.
- Officers were also instructed to minimize their presence in public while masked.
After hearing the concerns raised by the community, it's clear that even these additional precautions were not sufficient to maintain community trust. On August 5, 2025, staff were notified that use of masks was suspended effective immediately.
We may revisit this decision in the future, depending on changing circumstances, but at this time I believe this is the right step to avoid contributing further to public fear or uncertainty.
- Chief David Boysen