Chief Constables have a great opportunity to explore ways AI can address policing challenges. However, the focus should be on strategic use, not tech for tech’s sake – deploying AI where it delivers the greatest impact: boosting productivity, strengthening front-line operations, and enhancing threat detection.  

AI is already present in policing through the phones in officers’ pockets, the satnavs in their cars and the standard office software used in their daily work. Having AI tools deployed directly to frontline officers is already proving beneficial – enabling real-time data analysis, predictive policing, and automated monitoring, enhancing decision-making and reducing administrative burden.    

AI doesn’t replace people, it empowers them  

There is a common misconception that AI possess intelligence beyond humans. While AI outperforms humans in certain tasks such as processing vast amounts of data at speed or identifying complex patterns, it should be considered an enabler to empower people, enhance decision-making and drive efficiency, rather than replace the humans themselves.   

A key strength of AI – at this stage – is that it adds capacity and consistency. In traditional investigations for example, evidence is acquired, sifted and prioritised by humans in structured teams following set processes. With a properly configured AI system, material that take officer’s months to process could instead be analysed in minutes. For example, retrospective facial recognition enables identification searches to be completed in seconds rather than days.  

 However, AI can sometimes give strange or incorrect results. This is commonly known as ‘AI hallucination’. Strong governance and human oversight are essential to mitigate these hallucination risks. Having a ‘human in the loop’ means there’s always someone checking what the AI is doing, making sure its correct, and stepping in when needed. This helps keep things safe, fair and accurate, and is especially important when dealing with content or decisions of an ethical nature.  

What are the benefits of AI for public safety?  

The potential benefits in policing are clear:    

  • Enhanced speed, reliability and consistency by streamlining various processes,  
  • Pattern recognition across vast datasets,   
  • Identification of complex associations in serious crime,  
  • Increased operational efficiency by reducing back-office waste,  

The application of AI to modern police challenges could make a major contribution towards both force effectiveness and efficiency, with dividends for both public safety and the public purse.  

Yet, alongside its promise comes risk. Bias, transparency gaps, and questions of accountability remain critical concerns. For AI to succeed in such a sensitive sector, public trust must be at the core of its design, deployment, and governance.  

The UK Government’s AI Playbook highlights a central truth: AI is not a magic solution, but a set of tools that must be implemented responsibly, with clear boundaries and safeguards in place. In policing, this need for caution and integrity is magnified. Decisions informed by AI can shape people’s lives, liberty, and safety. Any misstep risks not just reputational damage, but a fundamental erosion of public trust.  

Six Pillars for responsible AI in policing  

To support organisations in using AI effectively, yet responsibly, we have developed a framework made up of six key pillars for AI maturity: strategy, governance, data, technology, culture, and expertise. Each is vital in mitigating risk:  

  • Governance ensures fairness, accountability, and clear oversight structures, aligning with the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s Covenant for Using AI in Policing (NPCC).  
  • Data quality reduces the likelihood of bias and ensures AI recommendations are grounded in accurate, representative insights.  
  • Culture and expertise foster human oversight, embedding the skills and ethical mindset required to question, challenge, and validate AI outputs.  
  • Technology and infrastructure ensure systems are scalable, interoperable, and secure, protecting sensitive data against cyber threats.  

Together, these create a framework where AI can be deployed as a trusted partner that supports officers in decision-making but never replacing human judgement.   

Take the first step today   

Using our six-pillar framework, the AI maturity lite self-assessment evaluates your organisation across the key foundations of successful AI adoption. The personalised report you’ll receive outlines your scores in each area, highlights priority focus points, and gives you clear, actionable next steps.  

AI maturity isn’t just a tech question, it’s a business imperative. And the organisations that act now will be the ones creating real competitive advantage tomorrow. Get started today.