AI transcription tool aims to speed up police report writing
Deputies are using AI to transcribe bodycam footage and generate reports, with built-in safeguards for factual accuracy.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office in Oregon is testing an AI transcription service to speed up police report writing. The tool, Draft One, analyses Axon body-worn camera footage to generate draft reports for specific calls, including theft, trespassing, and DUII incidents.
Corporal David Huey stated that the technology is designed to provide deputies more time in the field. He noted that reports that took around 90 minutes can now be completed in 15 to 20 minutes, freeing officers to focus on policing rather than paperwork.
Deputies in the 60-day pilot must review and edit all AI-generated drafts. At least 20 percent of each report must be manually adjusted to ensure accuracy. Huey explained that the system deliberately inserts minor errors to ensure officers remain engaged with the content.
He added that human judgement remains essential for interpreting emotional cues, such as tense body language, which AI cannot detect solely from transcripts. All data generated by Draft One is securely stored within Axon’s network.
After the pilot concludes, the sheriff’s office and the district attorney will determine whether to adopt the system permanently. If successful, the tool could mark a significant step in integrating AI into everyday law enforcement operations.
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