Police officer investigated ‘for using AI to create evidential material’ in cases

A police officer is being investigated for reportedly using artificial intelligence to ‘create evidential material’ in several cases.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said they were working with Derbyshire Police to conduct inquiries into the use of AI by an officer.

According to a report in the Financial Times (FT), the officer is alleged to have used AI to ‘create evidential material in a number of cases’.

The CPS have said they are ‘engaging with’ defence teams and courts which may have been affected by the conduct.

It comes in the same week that a new national centre for AI in policing, called PoliceAI, has been launched.

At the launch on Wednesday, PoliceAI interim director Alex Murray said: ‘Crime and technology are evolving rapidly.

‘Policing must keep pace by adopting AI responsibly to catch criminals and keep people safe.’

The officer being investigated, who has not been identified, has been removed from frontline duties according to the FT.

A spokesman for Derbyshire Constabulary said: ‘A criminal investigation has been launched into an allegation of perverting the course of justice after the alleged use of AI systems by an officer to create evidential material in a number of cases.

‘The force is working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service in relation to any potentially impacted cases, however the investigation is in its early stages, so no further details are available. 

‘The officer involved has been removed from frontline duties pending the outcome of the investigation. No arrests have been made.’

A CPS spokesman said: ‘We are working with Derbyshire Constabulary as it conducts enquiries into the alleged use of Artificial Intelligence by an officer. We are engaging with defence teams and the courts in appropriate cases.’