'This is crazy': California police mocked for using Lego heads to hide suspects' identities under new law

MURRIETA, CALIFORNIA: In Murrieta, California, police officers have adopted an unconventional method to conceal suspects' identities by replacing their heads with Lego heads.

This unconventional strategy, aligned with a progressive state law safeguarding offenders' rights, has ignited widespread amazement on social media. Many users have found it absurd and have labeled the procedure as "crazy."

Murrieta police replace suspects' heads with Lego heads

The Murrieta Police Department has taken an unconventional yet amusing approach to comply with a new California law safeguarding the rights of offenders, as per the New York Post.

Instead of showcasing suspects' faces in arrest and lineup photos, they've swapped them out with Lego heads, turning mugshots into a playful display.

The department's Instagram feed is featured with these Lego-headed figures, each sporting a different expression, from tears to frowns, smirks to anger.

Explaining their tactic, in another Instagram post, the Murrieta Police Department wrote, "On January 1st, a new law went into effect that restricts the how and when law enforcement agencies in California share suspect photos & mugshots."

It added, "The new law, Assembly Bill 994 & Penal Code 13665, now prohibits law enforcement from sharing suspect photos for nonviolent crimes, unless specified circumstances exist. Additionally, the new law requires agencies to remove suspect mugshots from social media after 14 days, unless special circumstances exist,"

The caption further read, "The Murrieta Police Department prides itself in its transparency with the community, but also honors everyone's rights & protections as afforded by law; even suspects. In order to share what is happening in Murrieta, we chose to cover the faces of suspects to protect their identity while still aligning with the new law."

According to the New York Post, a law signed by Governor Gavin Newsom and enacted on January 1 also requires the removal of mugshots from social media platforms after 14 days.

However, the Murrieta Police Department's use of Lego faces has stirred up some mockery online, with the department and the state receiving their fair share of trolls on social platforms.

Internet users mock California police

A user wrote, "California isn’t a serious places." [sic]

Another user wrote, "We all know California is verifiably retarded, they don’t have to keep proving it to us."

A user commented, "how long until lego issues a statement." [sic]

Another user commented, "Oh yeah, that will help to make their case. One of the Legos is even crying!🤡 How much you want to bet that they are illegals! This is crazy, even by California standards." [sic]

A user stated, "Seems like something children would do? Or is this a police protest?"

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.