Policing will always use Artificial Intelligence responsibly

That’s the message from policing’s first-ever lead for Artificial Intelligence (AI) as he reaffirms his commitment to transforming the service.  

Temporary Chief Constable Alex Murray took up this role in March this year and wants to focus on three key areas: improving productivity, making policing more effective in cutting crime and tackling the criminal use of AI. 

He is also keen to highlight the innovative work and ambitious pilots already underway to help meet those key objectives.  

They include:  

• AI trials in control rooms to help call handlers manage demand and focus on those most at risk.  

• The development of redaction tools, transcription and translation services.   

• Tools which can search through huge amounts of data to find out where potential child exploitation is taking place.    
• The NPCC is also taking part in the Probable Futures programme, a four-year research project which reviews all AI systems across law enforcement and will create a responsible and ‘operational-ready’ framework for using AI. 

T/Chief Constable Murray said:

“There are huge benefits to using AI across the wider criminal justice system, not just in policing, and we should not shy away from it. 

“Technology is moving at such a fast pace, and it will never be this slow again which means we need to mobilise now and equip our workforce for the future. If we don’t, we risk falling behind the criminals who are embracing and exploiting these tools.  

“AI offers huge opportunities for policing. It can automate a range of administrative tasks such as closing call logs, redacting huge court bundles and translating documents. It can help our call handlers to prioritise those who need their assistance most and can even help identify patterns and trends in evidence. These gains in productivity mean officers and staff will ultimately have more time to be back out in their community.  

“There is always more demand for policing than it can supply and AI helps release officer time so they can concentrate on those who need them most. 

“The public can be assured that AI is not replacing officers. Police will remain at the heart of everything we do because violent disorder, domestic abuse, child sexual exploitation for example, will always need a trained human officer to interact, offer support and make the final decisions and that will never change.” 

The former West Mercia officer, now a Director in the NCA, added:

“I want to be very clear with the public that our use of AI will always be responsible, transparent and explainable and this is why we have all signed up to the first-ever AI covenant. 

“The responsible use of AI is paramount if we are to deliver a service that is trusted by communities. People will see the only motivation here is to improve what we do and to better achieve our mission of making people safer.   

“We are open to scrutiny and want to build transparency into what we do. For us, innovation is about keeping our communities safe, not for profit, not for the sake of it.  

“We will are committed to working with key partners, academia and industry leaders to improve but will always be open and transparent about our actions and intentions.”