The Murrieta Police Department in Southern California has been asked by Lego to stop using Lego heads to cover the faces of suspects in images shared on social media. The department had been using Lego heads and emojis to cover people’s faces in posts since early 2023, but the altered photos gained attention after a post referencing a new California law limiting the sharing of mugshots was made. The department stated that it prides itself on transparency while also honoring everyone’s rights and protections under the law, including suspects.
Law enforcement agencies across the U.S. have often posted galleries of photos, including mugshots, to social media in efforts to engage with the community. However, experts caution against the harmful effects of putting such images online, as mugshots can carry a presumption of guilt for those awaiting trial and hinder those seeking to move past a criminal conviction. California’s new law requires police departments to remove booking photos shared on social media within 14 days, unless specific circumstances like public safety threats exist, building upon a previous version that took effect in 2022.
In response to the new law, the Murrieta Police Department announced a new policy in January 2023 regarding the posting of arrestee photos. The community had requested more posts, so the department began using Lego heads and emojis to comply with the law while still engaging with residents. However, on March 19, Lego reached out to the department, respectfully asking them to refrain from using their intellectual property in social media content. The department stated they would comply and are exploring other methods to publish content that engages followers while respecting Lego’s request.
While Lego did not respond to requests for comment, Assemblymember Corey Jackson, the primary sponsor of the California law, expressed concerns about how residents view the use of Lego heads by law enforcement. He questioned whether taxpayers support law enforcement officers being paid to put Lego faces on suspects for social media posts instead of focusing on public safety. Jackson mentioned that some agencies are trying to find loopholes in the law by posting images showing suspects in different settings to evade regulations. He stated that his staff is seeking a legal opinion from the state Department of Justice to address these loopholes and ensure compliance with the law.
Jackson emphasized the importance of law enforcement earning public trust and support, noting that attempting to skirt the law undermines efforts to implement law and order. He raised concerns about the active gamesmanship displayed by some agencies in trying to evade regulations and suggested that such actions could hinder public trust in law enforcement. The discussion surrounding the use of Lego heads by the Murrieta Police Department highlights the complexities of balancing transparency, privacy, and public engagement in law enforcement practices in the digital age. Authorities continue to navigate legal requirements, community expectations, and ethical considerations in their efforts to communicate with the public while respecting individual rights and privacy protections.
