Information about AI models

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.031755

I note you seek access to the following information:

1) How are AI systems integrated into the daily operations of the police station? Are they used for crime prevention, investigation, or other purposes?

2) What plans does the police station have for the future use of AI in their operations, and how do they envision the technology evolving?

3) Are there any concerns or reservations about implementing chatbots in the context of policing activities, such as privacy or data security concerns?

4) Are there any specific guidelines or policies governing the use of AI by the police station, and are they publicly available?

5) Is there any ongoing research or evaluation of AI chatbot technology to determine its potential benefits for the police department?

6) Are there any other AI-powered solutions or technologies the department is considering for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of police operations?

7) Have there been any budgetary or resource constraints that have hindered the adoption of AI chatbots?

8) Are there any specific use cases or scenarios where the police department envisions chatbots being beneficial in the future?

9) What steps would need to be taken to ensure that an AI chatbot used by the police department complies with ethical and legal standards, particularly concerning the sensitive nature of policing activities?

10) Would the police department be open to collaborating with external entities, such as technology companies or research institutions, to explore the implementation of AI chatbots in a controlled and secure manner?

Decision

I have today decided to disclose some of the requested information. Some data has been withheld as it is exempt from disclosure and therefore this response serves as a Refusal Notice under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) by virtue of the following exemptions:

- Section 84 of FOIA relates to recorded information held by a public authority and that it does not extend to providing explanations unless the answers are already held in a recorded form

- Section 21 - Information reasonably accessible by other means

Reason for decision

Section 84 relates to Q2, Q3 and Q9.
Section 21 relates to Q4.

- Section 21 - Information reasonably accessible by other means - The information requested has been identified as being accessible via other means as it is already published. Where information is already in the public domain we are not required to re-publish the data; instead public authorities are required to direct you to the information, which we have done in this instance.

- Section 84 of FOIA relates to recorded information held by a public authority and that it does not extend to providing explanations unless the answers are already held in a recorded form - "Information is defined in section 84 of the Act as 'information recorded in any form'. The Act therefore only extends to requests for recorded information. It does not require public authorities to answer questions generally; only if they already hold the answers in recorded form. The Act does not extend to requests for information about policies or their implementation, or the merits or demerits of any proposal or action - unless, of course, the answer to any such request is already held in recorded form." (Day vs ICO & DWP – EA/2006/0069 Final Decision)

Disclosure

Please find below information pursuant to your request.

Q1 - How are AI systems integrated into the daily operations of the police station? Are they used for crime prevention, investigation, or other purposes?

Yes – AI Facial Recognition for Investigations.

Q4 - Are there any specific guidelines or policies governing the use of AI by the police station, and are they publicly available?

Yes – Please see the following link in relation to Live Facial Recognition, Standard Operating Procedures -

Q5 - Is there any ongoing research or evaluation of AI chatbot technology to determine its potential benefits for the police department?

Yes

Q6 - Are there any other AI-powered solutions or technologies the department is considering for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of police operations?

Yes

Q7 - Have there been any budgetary or resource constraints that have hindered the adoption of AI chatbots?

No Information Held.

Q8 - Are there any specific use cases or scenarios where the police department envisions chatbots being beneficial in the future?

Yes

Q10 - Would the police department be open to collaborating with external entities, such as technology companies or research institutions, to explore the implementation of AI chatbots in a controlled and secure manner?

Yes