LOS ANGELES: Lego has asked a Southern California police department to stop using Lego heads to cover the faces of suspects in images shared on social media. The Murrieta Police Department has been adding Lego heads and emojis to cover people’s faces in posts on social sites since early 2023, but the altered photos gained attention after a post on its policy went viral last week, leading to a request from Lego.
The department posted a statement on March 18 on Instagram, featuring five people in a lineup with their faces covered by Lego heads. The post mentioned a California law that limits the sharing of mugshots on social media, which took effect on January 1. The department emphasized its commitment to transparency with the community while also respecting the rights and protections of suspects.
Law enforcement agencies in the US often share galleries of photos on social media for events like “Mugshot Mondays” and “Wanted Wednesdays” to engage with the community. However, experts warn about the negative impact of posting such images, as mugshots can imply guilt for those awaiting trial and hamper their future opportunities.
California’s new law requires police departments and sheriff’s offices to remove any booking photo shared on social media, including those of people arrested for violent crimes, within 14 days unless specific circumstances, such as remaining a fugitive, exist. The law builds on a previous version from 2022, which prohibited posting mugshots of non-violent offenders without valid reasons.
The Murrieta police introduced a new department policy in January 2023 following an internal discussion about posting arrestee photos. They started using Lego heads and emojis to comply with the law and engage with residents in their “Weekly Roundup” posts. However, on March 19, Lego requested the department to refrain from using their intellectual property in social media content.
Lt. Jeremy Durrant stated that they understand and will comply with Lego’s request, while exploring alternative methods to engage their followers. Lego did not respond to requests for comment on the matter. Assemblymember Corey Jackson, the primary sponsor of the California law, raised concerns about the use of Lego heads and how residents perceive it.
Jackson questioned whether taxpayers want law enforcement to use Lego faces on suspects in social media posts instead of focusing on public safety. He mentioned that some agencies are trying to circumvent the law by posting images of suspects in different settings to avoid sharing booking photos. Jackson’s staff is seeking a legal opinion from the state Department of Justice on this matter.
He further emphasized the importance of law enforcement’s credibility and public trust in upholding law and order, questioning how agencies trying to bypass the law align with their mission. The debate around using Lego heads to cover suspects’ faces in social media posts reflects the ongoing challenges in balancing transparency, privacy, and community engagement in law enforcement practices.
The incident highlights the evolving landscape of social media use by law enforcement agencies and the need to adapt to changing regulations while maintaining a positive relationship with the community. Moving forward, agencies may need to find creative yet compliant ways to engage with the public while respecting individuals’ rights and privacy.
As discussions continue on the proper use of imagery in law enforcement communication, it remains essential to consider the broader implications of visual representations on public perception, privacy, and accountability in policing efforts. Adapting to new laws and expectations around sharing suspect information online is crucial to fostering trust and cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.
Ultimately, the case of Murrieta Police Department’s use of Lego heads underscores the complex considerations involved in navigating the intersection of social media, law enforcement practices, and public expectations in the digital age.
