Although state legislators voted to ban the release of mugshots as part of the state budget, Cayuga County and Auburn law enforcement agencies say they plan to continue releasing booking photos.
The budget bill the mugshot ban is a part of allows law enforcement agencies to release mugshots if the images "will serve a specific law enforcement purpose and if disclosed is not precluded by any state or federal laws," the law states. Supporters of the provision believe releasing images is an invasion of personal privacy.
Last Wednesday, days after the state budget was approved, the New York State Police announced it will no longer release mugshots nor provide them when requested by the press. The agency said it will only release mugshots "for specific law enforcement purposes," such as for help locating a wanted suspect.
Despite the stance of state police, several other police agencies around the state have stated their intentions to continue making the photos publicly available. That includes at least two agencies in Cayuga County.
The Citizen:
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