The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office could begin using body and cruiser cameras with artificial intelligence.
Sheriff Dale Lancaster said he was convinced by the company Axon that its cameras will save deputies time when writing police reports.
The cameras are designed to transcribe everything they hear between deputies and whomever they’re interacting with, and draft an initial report.
“The deputy is still required to review the report in its entirety,” Lancaster said.
Lancaster said that in a test run this tech saved his deputies 15 to 20 minutes per report.
The average deputy may respond to five to 10 calls a day.
So, in theory, these cameras would allow law enforcement to spend several more hours each day in the community, instead of being behind a keyboard.
“Studies will show that visibility does work as a deterrent. Having deputies in the office typing reports, it takes them off the street,” Lancaster said.
These AI cruiser and body cameras would cost about $100,000 a year.
The sheriff’s office does not currently use body cameras and spend about $57,000 a year for cameras in its cruisers.
Final approval would come from county commissioners.
“Well, we have to be concerned about the taxpayer,” said John Alsop, a Somerset County commissioner. “If it appears, and I think it will, that this technology is going to free up manpower and make our law enforcement more efficient, I’m sure the county will probably approve it.”
Using AI in law enforcement is still a new concept.
Somerset County District Attorney Maeghan Maloney said if there are any potential mistakes, the body camera itself can review what happened.
“So, we’re getting closer and closer to being able to put in front of the jury exactly what happened,” Maloney said.
