Disturbing accounts and video evidence have surfaced in recent months indicating that purported federal officials have been carrying out arrests and detentions in Orange County—and even Los Angeles County—without any obvious identification, credentials, or verifiable authority. These occurrences, which frequently involve unmarked cars, plainclothes persons, and ambiguous assertions of federal affiliation, give cause for significant worry about public safety, civil rights, and the rule of law.

Before assisting or cooperating with anyone who claims to be a federal agent in any arrest or detention, it’s time for Orange County’s local law enforcement agencies to take quick action by confirming the identities and qualifications of those people. Not doing so not only endangers the populace but might also implicate local police in unlawful activities, such as kidnapping, which is a crime under California Penal Code.

 The Issue

Unidentified people are now seen in several videos circulating online, occasionally accompanied by local police, detaining or arresting people without clearly identifying their agency, showing badges, or outlining the legal justification for the arrest. The fact that these people sometimes seem to act without transparency or accountability raises the alarming possibility that they are not actual federal agents but rather bounty hunters, private security officers, or, worse, imposters taking advantage of the public’s confidence in law enforcement.

In Santa Ana, for example, local police were seen aiding in an arrest made by suspected federal agents whose identities have not been established. In Los Angeles County, a startling video showed LAPD officers standing by and defending alleged Federal Agents who forcefully abducted someone from the street. This action may be considered kidnapping under California law if carried out without legal authorization.

What the law says

Kidnapping is defined in California law, particularly in Penal Code § 207, as transporting someone against their will, by force or fear, and without any legal cause. Unless “federal agents” are acting within the confines of legal authority, the law makes no provision for them. A person may be unlawfully deprived of their freedom if they are detained or arrested by someone who claims to have federal status but has no verified credentials, and anybody who helps in such an arrest may face criminal charges.

In particular, local police officers who have been certified by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) are trained to protect constitutional rights and enforce state laws. This includes making sure that every arrest is legal and made by someone with the authority to do so. Officers violate both their training and their sworn duty when they fail to confirm the validity of those making arrests, particularly when federal affiliation is asserted.

 Where Are Our Local Leaders?

The silence of district attorneys, city council members, and Orange County supervisors is deafening. These authorities are in charge of supervising law enforcement procedures and guaranteeing the safety of citizens’ civil rights. However, local agencies have not been given any explicit instruction from the government requiring them to confirm the identities of federal officers.

We ask that the heads of the county and the city come out and give unambiguous directives to every law enforcement agency in the area:

1. Verify Credentials: Before aiding in an arrest or detention, an officer must ascertain the identity, agency connection, and official status of anybody claiming to be a federal agent.

2. Demand Transparency: Officers must demand that any federal officer involved in an arrest produce legitimate identification, justify the basis for the arrest, and produce evidence of authority.

3. Report Suspicious Activity: Any suspected impersonation of a federal agent should be reported right away to the appropriate oversight organizations, such as the California Attorney General’s Office and the FBI.

4. Educate officers accordingly: Local departments must revise procedures and train officers on how to deal with encounters with unidentified federal officers, stressing the significance of adhering to state law and protecting citizens from illegal imprisonment.

Demanding Accountability

It establishes a hazardous precedent for local law enforcement to continue to stand by while unverified agents take people into custody. We cannot let our streets turn into a Wild West where anybody may assert federal power and pull people away with impunity.

This is not about defying federal law enforcement; it’s about making sure that those who assert such authority are real, responsible, and abiding by the law. Residents deserve more than misunderstanding, terror, and the risk of being held unlawfully. They deserve transparency, due process, and the assurance that their local police are protecting them — not enabling would-be criminals who are hiding behind badges they don’t possess.

Orange County needs to set an example for the rest of the state. Law enforcement should no longer aid in arrests made by unverified individuals. And our elected officials must take action right away to safeguard the rights and security of every resident.

Enough is enough.