Utah bill requires officers to disclose AI-generated police reports

The use of artificial intelligence to generate police reports has emerged as a significant concern in law enforcement, with Axon’s Draft One product using body-worn camera audio to automatically create narrative reports. Utah’s legislature is addressing this development through a new bill aimed at increasing transparency and accountability in AI-generated police documentation.

The proposed legislation: Utah Senate Bill S.B. 180 mandates that police departments establish clear policies regarding the use of AI in report writing and requires officers to disclose when reports are generated by artificial intelligence.

• The bill requires officers to legally certify they have verified the accuracy of AI-generated content
• Departments must implement specific policies governing how AI tools are used in report writing
• All reports containing AI-generated content must include explicit disclaimers

Current technology landscape: Axon, known for manufacturing tasers and police surveillance equipment, has integrated AI report writing capabilities into their existing suite of law enforcement products.

• The Draft One system automatically generates police reports using audio from body-worn cameras
• The technology’s integration with existing Axon products has accelerated its adoption
• The system is becoming increasingly prevalent in U.S. law enforcement agencies

Key concerns: Language processing limitations and potential misinterpretation of human communication pose significant risks in AI-generated police reports.

• AI systems may struggle to accurately process different languages, dialects, and colloquialisms
• Metaphorical statements could be misinterpreted as literal claims during tense situations
• The technology may not adequately capture the nuanced context of police interactions

Legal implications: The introduction of AI-generated reports raises new challenges for the criminal justice system.

• King County prosecutors in Washington have advised officers against using the technology
• AI-generated reports could provide officers with plausible deniability for inaccurate statements
• The technology’s use may complicate legal proceedings and evidence verification

Emerging regulatory response: Other jurisdictions are likely to follow Utah’s lead in implementing oversight measures for AI-generated police reports.

• Local and state governments are expected to introduce similar transparency requirements
• Some jurisdictions may implement stronger restrictions on AI use in law enforcement
• The trend indicates growing concern about unregulated AI use in policing

Future implications: The widespread adoption of AI-generated police reports without proper oversight could fundamentally alter the accountability landscape in law enforcement, potentially obscuring responsibility for report accuracy and complicating legal proceedings. As more jurisdictions grapple with these challenges, we may see the emergence of a more comprehensive regulatory framework for AI use in law enforcement documentation.