Police department uses Lego heads to cover suspects’ faces
CALIFORNIA – The police department used Lego heads to cover the faces of suspects, prompting a reaction from Lego company
The Murrieta Police Department in Los Angeles recently attracted attention on social media for a unique approach to posting photos of crime suspects. Instead of showing their faces, the department edited the images to cover the suspects’ faces with Lego heads, each displaying different emotions. This tactic was adopted in response to a new law enacted in California on January 1, 2024, which prevents law enforcement agencies from sharing photos and mugshots of suspects for nonviolent crimes, unless specific circumstances exist.
In compliance with the new law, the Murrieta Police Department chose to cover the faces of suspects to protect their identities while still maintaining transparency with the community. This decision was explained in a Facebook post on March 18, 2024, where the department cited Assembly Bill 994 and Penal Code 13665 as the basis for their actions. Additionally, the law requires the removal of suspect mugshots from social media after 14 days, unless special circumstances are present.
The use of Lego heads as a substitute for suspect faces initially received positive feedback on social media, attracting attention and sparking discussions. However, the unconventional approach caught the attention of the Lego company, which promptly contacted the police department. The company requested that the department refrain from using their intellectual property in social media content. Murrieta Police Lieutenant Jeremy Durrant confirmed the request, stating that they understand and will comply with Lego’s request.
Despite ceasing the use of Lego heads, the Murrieta Police Department had previously used various visual elements to hide suspect faces, including The Grinch, emojis, and Barbie. With Lego heads no longer an option, it remains to be seen what alternative methods the department will adopt to maintain anonymity for suspects while adhering to the new legal requirements.