Regional Police looking at artificial intelligence with new committee
Posted Mar 20, 2025 06:00:00 AM.
Last Updated Mar 19, 2025 05:26:40 PM.
The Innovation and Modernization Unit of the Waterloo Regional Police Service have created a new AI Steering Committee to look at the potential risks and advantages of the emerging technology.
The committee would be made up of members that offer a “broad range” of experience and expertise while “remaining compliant with privacy legislation as well as being committed to delivering professional, accountable and ethical services.”
Regional Police Chief Mark Crowell said during Wednesday’s WRPS Board Meeting that it is an ‘evolving landscape’ in the police service and the frontline with the rise of new crimes using AI, such as fraud.
“We are at the infancy of some of those emerging technologies, but we are also managing the deployment of that technology into the community,” said Crowell.
Another study was done by the unit looking at a generative AI service called Draft One, that used audio from body worn cameras to produce draft reports, but was found not to be the right fit for the service “at this time.”
Other new technology being rolled out by police include body worn cameras for all frontline officers, license plate readers in 137 vehicles, digital notebooks and an app for officers’ phones to securely take pictures and statements.
