[Axhandle]

Can you explain to me why the police need to wear black ski masks when they make these raids?

I would presume to protect their faces from flash burns, a clawing suspects' fingernails, or other hazards. That's just a guess. I don't know their policies and procedures.

Why don't the officers making traffic stops wear them?

Perhaps there is no reason to.

[jdub]

My answer to why they wear the masks is because the SWAT guys in the movies and on tv do it, and they look cool doing it.

All that said, if it wasn't for the policies and laws that allow and promote this activity, I dont think we would have officers engaging in it. So my real problem is with our government that believes it has a right to subject its citizens to such treatment on a mere suspicion of (minor)wrongdoing.