Should Police Departments Use AI? Some Already Are.

In a recent article by Marie Weidmayer, we learn about the growing adoption of artificial intelligence in Maine police departments. The technology at the center of this development is Axon’s Draft One, a software that uses OpenAI’s ChatGPT to generate police reports from body cam and dashboard camera footage. The Cumberland and Somerset county sheriff’s offices, along with Portland police, are set to implement this technology in 2025, aiming to cut down the time officers spend on report writing.

Notable Aspects

This shift is notable because it highlights how AI is becoming integrated into everyday tasks within law enforcement. By using Draft One, police departments hope to streamline the report-writing process, potentially freeing up officers to focus more on community engagement and other duties. The software promises to produce a written summary of video footage in minutes, which could be a significant time-saver.

Benefits

• Reduces the time officers spend on administrative tasks, allowing them to focus on other responsibilities.
• Could increase the accuracy of reports by providing a consistent format and structure.
• Supports officers in managing high volumes of routine cases, like traffic stops and minor incidents.

Concerns

• AI’s lack of transparency and potential for errors, such as “hallucinations,” could lead to inaccuracies in reports.
• There are worries about AI’s ability to accurately transcribe speech, especially with accents.
• Potential loss of accountability and discipline that comes with officers manually writing reports.

Possible Business Use Cases

• Develop a startup that offers AI-driven tools for legal professionals to review and verify AI-generated reports for accuracy and bias.
• Create a company that specializes in training AI models to better understand diverse accents and dialects, enhancing transcription accuracy.
• Launch a service that audits AI-generated content in law enforcement to ensure compliance with legal standards and privacy concerns.

As AI continues to weave its way into various sectors, including law enforcement, it’s important to weigh the potential benefits against the challenges. While technologies like Draft One offer promising efficiencies, they also bring forth questions about accuracy, accountability, and privacy. The balance between embracing innovation and maintaining rigorous standards is delicate, and it requires ongoing scrutiny and adaptation. As we move forward, it’s essential to consider both the positive impacts and the potential pitfalls of integrating AI into such critical areas of public service.