Week 35: Major Updates: Mugshot Ruling, Courthouse Safety, and More!

Good morning, ! It's Monday, September 23rd, and we've got some big news this week. From a major court ruling on mugshots to a tragic courthouse shooting and a surge in school threats, you’ll find everything you need to stay sharp on the job.

🚨 Don't miss out! Join our new Facebook group, Welcome to The Street, to connect with officers nationwide and discuss the latest topic. Plus, we're running a giveaway! As a subscriber, you’re already entered to win a duty belt from Blue Alpha Belts ($150 value). Want a shot at $200? Just like, share, and comment on this Facebook post to get entered. Stay safe and stay informed!

🗓️ WHAT TO EXPECT

• Priority Briefing: The 9th Circuit's ruling makes posting mugshots online unconstitutional. Here's what that means for your department.

• News: A shocking story—County Sheriff fatally shoots a District Judge in his chambers.

• Line of Duty Deaths: We honor three fallen officers this week.

🔥 PRIORITY BRIEFING
9th Circuit Rules Posting Mugshots Online Unconstitutional: What Law Enforcement Needs to Know

On September 5, 2024, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a landmark ruling that impacts law enforcement agencies in states within the 9th Circuit. The court determined that posting mugshots and personal information of arrestees on government websites violates due process rights, labeling it unconstitutional pretrial punishment.

🚨 Key Points

• The Case: The ruling stems from the arrest of Brian Houston in Maricopa County, Arizona (January 2022).

• The Violation: Houston's mugshot and personal details were publicly posted on the Sheriff’s Office website for about 3 days.

• Court’s Rationale: The court rejected the argument that public access to mugshots serves transparency, instead calling it an unfair punishment for individuals who have not yet been convicted.

📌 Impact on Law Enforcement in 9th Circuit States

• Affected States: This ruling applies to law enforcement agencies in states under the 9th Circuit, including Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.

• Legal Exposure: Departments in these states could face lawsuits if they continue to publicly post mugshots or arrestee information without policy changes.

• Policy Revisions: Agencies must immediately assess and potentially overhaul their current practices regarding the release of booking photos and personal details.

• Public Communication: Departments should reconsider how they share arrest information with the public, likely requiring more cautious approaches.

🔍 Broader Implications

• Potential to Influence Other Jurisdictions: Although limited to the 9th Circuit, this ruling may influence policy discussions in other regions. Law enforcement agencies outside the circuit may consider reviewing their practices to avoid similar legal challenges in the future.

• Privacy vs. Public Interest: Agencies must balance maintaining public safety and transparency with protecting the privacy rights of those arrested but not yet convicted.

• Third-Party Mugshot Websites: The ruling acknowledges challenges related to third-party websites that scrape and republish mugshots, complicating efforts to limit the spread of these images.

🚔 Agency Responses So Far in 9th Circuit States

• Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (Arizona): Removed all mugshots from its website to comply with the ruling.

• Las Vegas Police (Nevada): Suspended the release of booking photos to the public.

• Several Nevada Counties: Stopped sharing criminal mugshots to avoid potential legal risks.

✔️ Action Items for Your Agency (9th Circuit States)

1. Review Current Practices: If your agency is located in a 9th Circuit state, ensure your policies on mugshots and arrestee data comply with the court's ruling.

2. Consult Legal Counsel: Work with legal advisors to fully understand how this decision affects your specific jurisdiction and adjust policies accordingly.

3. Develop New Communication Strategies: Explore alternative methods for keeping the public informed without violating individual rights. Focus on methods that prioritize transparency while safeguarding due process.

4. Train Personnel: Ensure all officers and administrative staff are aware of the ruling and the updated protocols for handling arrest information.

💬 Join the Discussion

📢 Facebook Group: Join the conversation in our new Facebook group, "Welcome to The Street", where we’re discussing the implications of this ruling for officers in 9th Circuit states. Connect with fellow officers to share strategies and insights.

📨 Share Your Experience: If your agency is located within the 9th Circuit, we encourage you to share how this ruling is impacting your operations and what challenges you are facing in implementing the new policies.

 NEWS
 The Latest News in Policing

🚨 School Safety Alert: Surge in Threats Following Georgia Shooting

In the aftermath of the Apalachee High School shooting in Georgia (Sept. 4), there has been a surge in school-related threats across neighboring states.

• 60+ threats have been investigated in South Carolina in just two weeks.

• 21 teens have been charged with making threats in connection to these incidents.

• The rapid rise in threats highlights the ripple effect such tragic events have on communities beyond their immediate area.

Law enforcement officials are emphasizing the severe legal consequences for individuals who make false or real threats against schools, underscoring the importance of vigilance in identifying and addressing these issues.

Editor's Note: As a School Resource Officer in rural Ohio, where the population is so small you could practically name every person, even we’ve seen a rise in safety threats. My colleague Vince, an officer in Pennsylvania, has noticed similar trends. This isn’t limited to big cities – even small towns across the country are experiencing a spike in these issues.

🛑 Action Items for Officers:

• Review your department’s protocols for responding to school threats.

• Coordinate with local schools to enhance safety measures and communication.

• Consider increasing your visible presence near schools to deter threats.

Discussion Point: Have you seen a rise in threats at schools in your jurisdiction, whether it’s in a large urban setting or a rural town? Share your insights and strategies in our Facebook group “Welcome to The Street,” and help your fellow officers protect their communities more effectively.

🔫 District Judge Kevin Mullins Killed in His Chambers by the County Sheriff

A tragic incident occurred when Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines fatally shot District Judge Kevin Mullins following a heated argument. The motive is still under investigation, but this tragedy raises urgent questions about the security of our courthouses and the protections we have in place for judicial officials.

Discussion Point: What changes could improve security protocols within the justice system to prevent tragedies like this? Share your thoughts on ways we can enhance courthouse safety.

🇺🇸 Immigration Enforcement: Tennessee’s New Laws

Tennessee has recently passed a series of immigration enforcement laws with significant implications for local law enforcement:

• Local agencies are now required to verify the citizenship status of detainees.

• Officers must report illegal immigrants who commit crimes to federal authorities.

• Judges can now sentence illegal immigrants convicted of violent crimes to life without parole.

These new laws could affect how you process individuals suspected of being in the country illegally, so make sure your department is aware and ready for the changes.

🎥 Transparency Challenge: Bodycam Footage Release Policies

A recent report revealed that only 42% of police killing cases have publicly released bodycam footage. This has led to increased calls for quicker and more consistent transparency in law enforcement. Departments are under pressure to streamline the process of releasing footage while maintaining legal and operational safeguards.

Question for Officers: How does your department manage the release of bodycam footage? Are there areas where transparency could be improved? Let us know in the Facebook group.

📚 Training Standards: U.S. Police Training Lags Behind International Counterparts

A report from the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) indicates that U.S. law enforcement training is far shorter compared to other countries, where training can last months or even years. The U.S. overemphasizes weapons and tactics and lacks a strong focus on decision-making and communication skills.

However, departments that emphasize de-escalation training are seeing reductions in use-of-force incidents, offering a promising avenue for future training improvements.

Food for Thought: How might these findings influence the way your department approaches training? Could an increased focus on de-escalation and communication improve officer safety and public trust?

 OFFICER DOWN: THIS WEEK’S FALLEN HEROES
 Weekly Line of Duty Deaths: 3