A California police department is making waves on social media with its unconventional approach to posting mugshots and arrest photos of suspects: covering their faces with LEGO heads.
Lt. Jeremy Durrant of the Murrieta Police Department revealed that the decision to use LEGO heads was a creative strategy to garner attention and engagement on their social media accounts. “It’s just a little fun to get some attention,” Durrant explained. “Game the social media algorithms, gain some traction, likes and follows, stuff like that.”
The department initially began posting mugshots about five years ago but encountered challenges when the focus shifted towards the physical appearance of the suspects rather than the officers’ commendable work. To address this issue, they turned to using emojis and eventually settled on LEGO heads to maintain a lighthearted yet informative approach.
While the community response has been largely positive, recent legislative changes have prompted adjustments. In 2021, California passed laws limiting law enforcement’s ability to post mugshots on social media, leading the department to adapt their strategy. Additionally, a new law implemented in 2024 strengthened these restrictions, requiring mugshots to be taken down after 14 days.
Despite these changes, some police departments, like the Riverside Police Department, continue to share photos of suspects taken during arrests, as opposed to traditional booking photos. Officer Ryan Railsback emphasized the importance of adapting to meet audience preferences while complying with the law.
However, the Murrieta Police Department recently faced a request from The LEGO Group to cease using their trademarked images on social media. In response, the department pledged to find alternative methods to obscure suspects’ faces, while maintaining transparency and adherence to state law.
Durrant reiterated the department’s commitment to transparency and accountability while respecting suspects’ rights. “I definitely believe strongly in the value of transparency and letting (the public) know what their police department is doing out there,” he stated.
Despite the need to adjust their approach, the Murrieta Police Department’s innovative use of LEGO heads has sparked conversation and engagement, demonstrating the power of creativity in law enforcement communication strategies.
Keywords: California police department, Mugshots, LEGO heads, Social media, Law enforcement, Transparency, Legislative changes, Riverside Police Department.
