Mobile police are suspending their long policy of walking accused criminals past the media before processing them at Metro Jail.

The practice is otherwise known as a “perp walk.”

Perp walks are not mandated, and the Mobile Police Department “has chosen to suspend them,” said Cpl. Katrina Frazier. She did not give a reason as to why they were suspended.

Perp is short for perpetrator.

The walks have been held for years, often featuring police officers escorting a person accused of a crime in front of TV cameras while reporters ask questions.

Media outlets were typically notified in advance by the police department.

Critics of the walks say they are unfair to the accused, noting that those who are paraded in front of the media cameras are presumed innocent until found guilty. They also claim the practice is meant for law enforcement to show off.

Defenders of the practice say it’s used as a public “don’t do crime” deterrent.

Perp walks are typically reserved to high profile crimes.

As Fox 10 reports, few cities hold them the way Mobile does.

Police in Birmingham, Huntsville and Montgomery, rarely, if ever invite the media to perp walks.