LEGO mugshot controversy sparks authorized compliance debate

Oh for f*** sakes Police submit pictures of suspects with LEGO heads to guard IDs underneath new California legislation…The Murrieta Police Division has been posting hilarious arrest and lineup pictures with suspects’ faces changed by LEGO heads to adjust to a woke state legislation… pic.twitter.com/qRauGkEuWf

— Salty Texan (@texan_maga) March 20, 2024

Shortly after Murrieta PD’s interpretation for following state legislation, the Billund-based Danish firm and house owners of the LEGO model requested the PD to cease “including LEGO heads to cowl the faces of suspects … on social media,” based on a Guardian report from Tuesday, March twenty sixth.

In keeping with the report, the PD’s distinctive type of compliance started “since at the very least early 2023. However, the altered pictures went viral the final week after the division posted a press release about its coverage,” which was LEGO’s impetus to request to cease utilizing their product in mugshots.

In an Instagram post from March 18th, the division explained its reasoning for using LEGO figures’ heads to cover suspects’ identities. The post references Californian legislation that limits the sharing of mugshots on social media. The division added that it is ” satisfied itself in transparency with the group, but additionally honour everybody’s rights and protections,” the Guardian reported.

Not too long ago, a phenomenon occurred in the US, where legislation enforcement posted picture galleries on social media as a part of what the Guardian calls “Mugshot Mondays” and “Wished Wednesdays.” This may inconvenience former felons who strive “to get a job and the photos hang out them for the remainder of their lives.”

The brand new legislation in California forces PD and sheriff’s places of work to take away suspect pictures within 14 days, excluding distinctive circumstances. This applies even when the suspect was arrested for violent offences. This legislation relies on an older model of the laws from 2022, where it was “prohibited [to post] mugshots of all non-violent offenders,” the Guardian reported.

LEGO coverage sparks debate

In January 2023, Murrieta PD debated posting pictures of suspects and introduced the brand new coverage on Instagram the same month. In keeping with the Guardian, when the group started asking for extra “weekly roundup” posts, the division started utilizing LEGO figures’ heads to comply with the legislation.

On March 19, the child-oriented toy firm contacted Murrieta PD and “respectfully requested [them] to chorus from utilizing [LEGO] mental property in [their] social media content material.” The DP reportedly responded with understanding and promised to adjust to the corporate’s request.

When requested for a response by the Guardian, LEGO declined to remark.

Assemblymember Corey Jackson, the major sponsor of the new legislation, said, “Whereas the LEGO heads protected folks’ privateness, he puzzled how Murrieta residents see it.”