technology

Utah Police Departments Integrate AI for Enhanced Public Safety

Utah police are using AI tools like Code Four to enhance efficiency and accuracy in report writing.

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Utah police departments are increasingly adopting artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to streamline their operations and enhance public safety. Recently, the Heber City Police Department began testing a new AI software called Code Four, which is designed to generate police reports from body camera footage. This innovative approach aims to reduce the amount of paperwork officers need to complete, allowing them to spend more time in the field. The initiative started earlier this month, when officers discovered an unusual report generated by the AI system. The software mistakenly claimed that an officer had transformed into a frog, a mix-up attributed to a movie playing in the background, 'The Princess and the Frog.' This incident highlighted the importance of reviewing AI-generated reports for accuracy. During a demonstration for FOX 13 News, Sergeant Keel conducted a mock traffic stop to evaluate the AI's performance. Following the stop, the AI produced a report complete with timestamps, which, while mostly accurate, still required some corrections. Code Four is capable of processing reports in both English and Spanish and can analyze tone and sentiment during conversations. One of the key advantages cited by Sergeant Keel is the time savings realized through the use of this technology. Traditionally, writing police reports could take officers 1-2 hours. With Code Four, Keel noted that he is now saving approximately 6-8 hours each week. The software is described as user-friendly, making it accessible even for those who are not particularly tech-savvy. In addition to Code Four, the Heber City Police Department is also exploring another AI tool called Draft One. The cost of using Code Four is around $30 per officer each month. The trial period for this AI software is set to conclude next month, but officials have expressed their intent to continue utilizing AI technology, evaluating which system will best meet their needs moving forward.