09.26.2024 | ANTHONY TASSONE

The Role of Technology in Improving Law Enforcement’s Most Common Challenges

body worn camera technology

It’s no secret that law enforcement agencies are experiencing a myriad of challenges these days. With staffing issues and ever-increasing calls for service, it is imperative that agencies find creative and innovative ways to address the various challenges within their departments to increase efficiency and effectiveness. AI technology is just one of the tools departments are turning to for solutions.

Increasing Accountability

With the rise of body-worn camera (BWC) use, many departments have taken steps to capture officer interactions and identify both the positive and negative exchanges with community members. The challenge has been in analyzing this data effectively. TRULEO takes police accountability to the next level by using AI to automatically analyze 100% of BWC footage. This system can identify both positive behaviors and areas where officers may need improvement, helping departments promote best practices and address issues before they escalate.

 

Improving Policing Outcomes

This technology also helps departments manage a large volume of interactions. Most departments can only review three percent or less of their footage manually. TRULEO enables agencies to review 100 percent of their BWC video. By using AI to flag critical incidents, departments can respond quickly to situations that need further review and use those incidents to create opportunities for training. This type of proactive oversight is crucial in promoting public trust and ensuring officers maintain high standards of professionalism. In turn, officers can also be recognized for their positive interactions with community members.

 

Enhancing Trust Through Transparency

The key to police accountability is transparency. With TRULEO, police departments can offer the communities they serve a clearer picture of how they operate, highlighting positive interactions while addressing concerns quickly and proactively. This not only boosts community confidence but also improves internal training and officer performance and behaviors.

 

Creating an Attractive Culture for Recruiting

AI-powered accountability also creates an attractive culture for recruitment by ensuring that department rules are consistently applied, eliminating concerns about supervisor bias. Officers are drawn to agencies where fairness is the standard and know that AI-driven systems promote transparency and impartiality. This fosters trust and a positive work environment, making the department a desirable destination for those seeking a fair and equitable workplace. Take this recent example featured in a WRAL news story about a Burlington (NC) PD Officer originally from Florida. Officer James Ordonez was attracted to BPD and ultimately relocated because of the way the department values the officers and the community. BPD is the first in North Carolina to deploy TRULEO’s technology. Hear more about Officer Ordonez’s view on the BWC video review and BPD’s use of TRULEO here.

 

Preventing or Accelerating a Costly Consent Decree

TRULEO’s data can play a critical role in preventing or accelerating a costly consent decree. By analyzing body-worn camera footage with AI, TRULEO helps departments identify patterns of officer behavior and areas of concern before they escalate into legal action. Proactively addressing these issues allows departments to demonstrate accountability and avoid the financial burden of a consent decree. Alternatively, if a department is under investigation, TRULEO’s insights can expedite reforms, helping them comply with the decree more efficiently.

In conclusion, as law enforcement agencies continue to face growing challenges, the integration of advanced technology like AI is proving to be a game-changer. Tools such as TRULEO are not only enhancing accountability and improving policing outcomes, but also fostering transparency and building trust within communities. By enabling departments to analyze and respond to BWC footage quickly and comprehensively, TRULEO helps agencies promote positive behaviors and maintain high standards of professionalism. Additionally, the use of AI in policing supports a fair and equitable work environment, making law enforcement careers more attractive to recruits who value transparency and consistency. As the landscape of policing evolves, embracing innovative solutions like TRULEO will be essential for law enforcement agencies striving to meet public expectations and achieve sustainable, effective community relations.

 

“The ability to measure a police officer’s level of professionalism and readiness to de-escalate should be required risk management for every Chief of Police.”

"From command staff to front-line supervisors to the officers on the front line. They all bought into the mission and leveraged BWC analytics as a coaching tool to help us create better outcomes with our community."