The Case for Canceling the SFPD’s No-Mugshot Policy Now

In July 2020, the San Francisco Police Department under long-serving Chief William Scott, implemented a controversial “no booking photos” policy restricting the release of most mug shots, citing concerns about “racial bias and stereotypes”, particularly against Black and brown individuals.

Born out of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement’s peak influence following George Floyd’s killing in that same year, this SFPD policy limits photo releases to cases of imminent danger or public safety needs while requiring approval from the SFPD’s public relations team. While intended to address alleged “systemic bias”, it today is a relic of BLM’s 2020 momentum that instead undermines public trust, hinders safety, and fails to tackle root causes of racial disparities. With Chief Scott announcing his departure on May 7, 2025, to pursue a new opportunity, the time to cancel this flawed policy is now, as the SFPD transitions to new leadership under interim Chief Paul Yep in a few weeks.

Transparency is a part of the foundation of public trust in law enforcement. The no-mugshot policy, by withholding factual arrestee images, instead fosters perceptions of secrecy that erode confidence. Mug shots enable community oversight, ensuring accountability for police actions. When restricted, residents may suspect the SFPD is shielding individuals or avoiding scrutiny, especially in high-profile cases. The policy’s discretionary exceptions—requiring public relations approval—raise concerns about politically motivated decisions, fueling distrust in a city where progressive values demand openness.

As a leftover from BLM’s 2020 push, the policy reflects a knee-jerk response to protests rather than a sustainable solution. Adopted as a department notice rather than a codified Department General Order, the policy lacks permanence and clarity, appearing as a symbolic gesture to deflect criticism during a then-turbulent time. Chief Scott’s announced departure offers a critical opportunity to address this trust deficit: Interim Chief Yep can restore transparency by canceling the policy, signaling a commitment to openness under new leadership. Reinstating mug shot releases would rebuild community faith, countering perceptions of secrecy rooted in the policy’s BLM-era origins.

The policy compromises overall public safety by limiting the community’s ability to identify perpetrators. Mug shots are vital for enlisting the public assistance in locating suspects and accomplices particularly for ongoing threats or repeat offenders; withholding most mug shots obscures patterns residents could help address through tips.

This BLM-inspired policy prioritizes image suppression over practical safety. Chief Scott’s tenure saw innovations like ALPR cameras and drones, reducing crimes like auto burglaries, but the mug shot restriction undermines these efforts by limiting community engagement. With Scott stepping down and the SFPD down over 500 officers, straining response times, interim Chief Yep can leverage this transition to cancel the policy. Restoring mug shots as a public safety tool would empower residents, aligning with Yep’s community-focused background as a Chinatown native.

Defenders of the policy claim bias. A universal release policy, however, publishing every adult’s mug shot regardless of race, sex, or appearance, would eliminate selective bias. If Black individuals are 15% of arrests, their mug shots would reflect that proportion, neutralizing overrepresentation claims, rather than hiding data.

Proponents argue the policy protects the presumption of innocence, as only 60% of California felony arrests lead to convictions (2020 DOJ data). However, this applies to all arrestees. Universal releases, while resource-intensive, could be streamlined through public databases, ensuring efficiency.

The SFPD should release data on mug shots and engage the public to shape a transparent, effective approach, finally moving beyond BLM-era symbolism.