Police got Warning: Don’t make Fun of Repeate Offenders!
The IJsselland Police (The Netherlands) has to be more careful with pictures of repeate offenders. National Ombudsman Alex Brenninkmeijer thinks the Police went too far, by having mug shots of offenders printed on calendars and placemats, for use in their cafetaria.
Also the phrase “Repeate Offender of the Week”, the Police uses to draw attention to a specific offender, is not good for the privacy of criminals, according to Brenninkmeijer.
The project “Shop Safe” is intended to inform shop owners about shoplifters, providing them with a photo and details. That way shop owners can recognize an offender, and prevent another theft. The printed placemats and calendars were used so officers can identify them too.
The privacy of criminals is well taken care of in the Netherlands. Shop owners are not allowed to use the photo’s to arrest shoplifters, but only to prevent a possible crime. I’d make T-shirts, mugs and baseball caps too!
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