The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | March 2024
Continued from previous page poses . For example , police administrators would likely instruct the AI to address issues such as privacy ( referring to a victim as “ Victim 1 ” instead of their name , for example ), probable cause , and evidence .
Though Parham ’ s teams haven ’ t collected metrics on the difference between traditional reports and AI-assisted reports , he says the anecdotal results are excellent . For instance , prosecutors have noted that the reports are both better written and establish improved factual predicates for criminal charges to stick . The accuracy and sufficiency of the report are less likely to be successfully challenged by defendants . These results have enhanced the department ’ s credibility with the district attorney ’ s office .
They also improve justice and fairness outcomes , Parham says . AI focuses officers on the elements that are essential to an effective prosecution . Innocent suspects benefit because AI helps banish inference , ambiguity , inconsistency and speculation , forcing the state to only move forward on solid cases .
Data Integration Police need to access scores of databases : fingerprints , DNA , license plate numbers , ballistics , firearms , firearms owners , victims , immigration records , tax filing , property records , sex offenders and so on . The problem is , they usually sit in separate databases across dozens of different law enforcement entities , government agencies and other official repositories .
Forward-thinking and tech-savvy departments are finding ways to pull these data sets together and use AI to make unexpected connections . The Antwerp Police Department in Belgium has been at the forefront . The agency has developed a digital platform with an integrated user interface called FOCUS that combines up to 50 different databases .
The project started a decade ago , explains ICT Deputy Director Stijn Haemhouts , when officers conducting investigations had to serially check dozens of different apps and databases . “ They had to remember 20 usernames and passwords ,” recalls Haemhouts . “ Each database was siloed . There was no interoperability .”
Mimicking user interfaces such as those by Facebook and Google Suite , Antwerp police created a platform that could evolve so there is no need for the hassle of migrating everything to a new platform in seven or eight years . The platform takes the databases as they find them — it doesn ’ t recreate legacy data from the mishmash of commercial off-the-shelf and government databases and platforms , operated and maintained by different entities . IT simply places a layer over these systems , in essence creating the so-called “ single pane of glass ,” Haemhouts says .
Now , a single query — say , full name — can immediately yield a wealth of related information , even specifying exactly what data came from which sources and where those sources reside .
Haemhouts describes a case in which police received a domestic violence call but had little information beyond the address . Entering the address into FOCUS yielded a wealth of critical information , including that the suspect was a former member of special ops , owned two pit bulls , had an active restraining order on him , and was a bulked-up likely steroid user with a history of weapons and drug offenses . Responding officers took appropriate precautions to arrest him without incident .
Antwerp police is using AI to cross-reference that data to predict likely crime scenes , trends and tactics . For example , it will indicate locations where police should be more present , such as via drive-bys or on foot . Patrols have expanded from 8 to 12 hours so police could be more visible in the community and establish better relationships with the public . And the patrols are more efficient because of FOCUS and AI analysis .
Jurisdictions around the world are catching on . In San Mateo County , California , for instance , the sheriff ’ s office recently completed a pilot program that uses AI to “ connect the dots ” between the dozens of data sets such as calls for service , outstanding warrants , video feeds , permits and licenses , traffic accidents and protection orders .
Chris Hsiung , undersheriff for that office says that their AI agent is not predictive but is effective for both current and old cases . For example , San Mateo has resolved cold cases by scanning the files into their system via optical character recognition . In one case , “ AI took one and a half seconds to find a lead in a cold case that took a person
20
Continued on next page