CA police department setting the internet ablaze with LEGO headshots, and LEGO is pretty pissed

MURRIETA, CA - A new California state law enacted this year was yet just another means to protect those breaking the law and disturbing the peace.
 
But if there’s a way to comply with the law and have fun with it – why not do it?

That’s exactly what the Murrieta Police Department decided to do.
 
MPD has always been active on social media, particularly Instagram. For several years now, they have been posting updates, photos, community information, police interactions, and more on their social media. 

But in 2024 they, along with every other California police department, were legally forced to modify what they post online when it comes to arresting suspects.

According to the MPD Instagram account, “On January 1st, a new law went into effect that restricts the how and when law enforcement agencies in California share suspect photos & mugshots. The new law, Assembly Bill 994 & Penal Code 13665, now prohibits law enforcement from sharing suspect photos for nonviolent crimes, unless specified circumstances exist.”



When the law applies, they cover the perps' faces with none other than Lego characters.

And it’s not just one generic Lego head used for each perp. The look on the Lego characters’ faces perfectly matches the scenario and what the suspect must be thinking and feeling.

The Lego Group has recently instructed the agency to stop using their images in this manner, according to Fox News Digital. "The Lego Group reached out to us and respectfully asked us to refrain from using their intellectual property in our social media content which of course we understand and will comply with," MPD Lt. Jeremy Durrant said. "We are currently exploring other methods to continue publishing our content in a way that is engaging and interesting to our followers."
  
Although the social media posts appeared to be for entertainment, but MPD still maintained professionalism.

“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,” the department wrote in another Instagram post.




The MPD's brilliant and creative method of complying with the criminal-friendly law has extended to the way they write up the arrest. They use relevant and light-hearted hashtags. 

Some examples:
 
•    "Last week officers participated in a game of #HideAndSeek in the area of Madison Avenue."

•    "The suspect had a #BadIdea and stole the victim’s phone which allowed for it to be tracked. Officers later located a handwritten #ToDoList which listed #SelliPhone as the number one item."

•    "Officers determined the suspect was driving around in the early morning hours #NothingGoodHappensAfterMidnight and stole the license plate from a hotel parking lot in Temecula."

Another post included:

•    "Officers were flagged down and told two males had each stolen a shopping cart full of items #ThatsALotOfStuff and left the store without paying."

•    "Unfortunately the friend had a suspended driver's license which ultimately resulted in the vehicle going to #CarJail."

To jump in on the entertainment, follow @murrietapd on Instagram now before uptight liberal, anti-police politicians find a way to shut it down. 

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Writer Eddie Molina is a veteran and has over 25 years of combined LEO/military service. He owns and operates the apparel company www.BuyHeroStuff.com