More Police Departments Embrace AI Technology to Boost Efficiency and Raise Concerns
Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly becoming a key tool in modern policing as more police departments across the United States adopt AI-powered solutions to enhance crimefighting efficiency. This trend, highlighted by technology provider Axon, is transforming how officers manage their workload, particularly in the critical but time-consuming task of report writing. However, the rise of AI in law enforcement has also sparked significant debate about transparency and accountability.
AI Streamlines Police Reporting
Paperwork has long been a major frustration for police officers who find themselves spending extensive hours on report writing rather than out in the community preventing crime. Addressing this issue, Axon—known for its Tasers and body cameras—developed Draft One, an AI-driven software that assists officers in creating police reports by analyzing recordings from body-worn cameras.
According to Axon, U.S. officers routinely spend up to 40% of their workweek—approximately 15 hours—on data entry and report writing. Draft One helps reduce that burden by generating draft narratives from bodycam footage, which officers then review and finalize.
The company reports that early agency trials of Draft One have saved officers about an hour per day on paperwork. For every eight officers using the tool, that time savings equates to an extra full eight-hour shift available for active duty. Axon’s founder and CEO, Rick Smith, described Draft One as “our fastest-adopted software solution” during a recent earnings call.
Officers using the technology echo the benefits. Scott Brittingham of the Fort Collins Police Department in Colorado said a report that previously took him 45 minutes to complete can now be finished in just 10 minutes. “Spending less time writing reports means I can take more calls for service and be proactive in preventing crime,” he noted.
Wider Adoption and Usage
While Axon has not publicly disclosed the total number of departments using Draft One, the tool is reportedly active in several jurisdictions including Lafayette, Indiana; Tampa, Florida; and Campbell, California. Police departments in Minnesota have also embraced AI for report writing.
The AI system leverages generative models similar to ChatGPT to transcribe and summarize audio from body-worn cameras, producing an initial draft that officers edit and approve. Axon emphasizes that every report is reviewed and signed off by a human officer before submission, ensuring accuracy and preserving officer responsibility for final content.
Concerns Over Oversight and Transparency
Despite its efficiency benefits, the adoption of AI in policing has raised concerns among civil liberties advocates. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), a prominent digital rights group, conducted an investigation into Draft One and highlighted a lack of transparency and limited public oversight in how the AI generates police reports.
The EFF noted that the software uses placeholders within its generated text, prompting officers to add or modify details before finalizing reports. However, the system does not process video footage—only audio—and documentation of the editing process is not made publicly accessible, potentially concealing how AI influences official police narratives.
Several states, including California and Utah, now have laws requiring disclosure when AI is used in police report generation, reflecting growing public unease.
Axon has responded by reiterating that the tool was designed to mirror traditional police narrative processes, where officers maintain full control over report content. A company spokesperson told Ars Technica that the final approved report, rather than any interim drafts or edits, is the official record subject to discovery.
Growing Market Impact
Axon’s shares have risen nearly 15% in 2025 and are up 55% compared to the same period last year, signaling investor confidence in the potential of AI technology to reshape law enforcement. The broader AI industry continues to make inroads in multiple sectors, including the lucrative online travel market and retail.
As police departments continue to explore AI-driven tools, the balance between technological innovation, operational efficiency, and civil rights oversight remains a central topic in the evolving conversation around AI’s role in public safety.
By Rob Lenihan
TheStreet – October 20, 2025
