Deputies will begin using AI to draft reports for non-criminal incidents based on body cam audio, aiming to cut paperwork and boost policing time.
TAMPA, Fla. — Using audio from body cam footage, deputies with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office will now rely on an artificial intelligence tool to draft reports, which, after reviewing and editing, will be used as official documents.
The sheriff’s office states that this will reduce paperwork, allowing deputies to focus more on policing.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday that its office will begin using Axon Draft One, an AI-powered tool to assist deputies with report writing. Axon Draft One is designed to generate a draft with narrative coming from audio recorded by a deputy’s body-worn camera.
HCSO added that, at the moment, the tool will only be used for non-criminal calls for service, which will be transcribed and organized securely into the deputy’s tool account whenever a deputy responds to a call.
Given that the tool relies on audio to produce the narrative, the HCSO says that deputies will need to speak clearly when stating observations or describing the situation to ensure the tool captures any details.
“Deputies are required to carefully review, edit, and approve every report before it is submitted,” the HCSO said in the statement. “Deputies must make substantive edits to ensure the final report accurately reflects the incident.”
In addition, the AI tool will issue prompts to highlight any need for more details, HCSO says.
“We are committed to embracing innovation and leveraging technology in ways that enhance operational efficiency,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “Axon Draft One is an example of how we continue to evolve, pairing advanced technology with proper training and oversight to enhance efficiency while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and accountability.”
“Our deputies remain fully responsible for every report, and this tool simply allows them to focus more time on protecting our community,” Sheriff Chronister added.
HCSO also said that information processed through Axon Draft One will remain within Axon’s secure system, and it won’t be shared with public AI platforms.
“Draft One is a force multiplier for officers, leveraging generative AI and body-worn camera audio to produce high-quality draft report narratives in seconds,” the Axon website reads. “Less time on paperwork means more time for police work.”
Axon says on its website that it provides services for law enforcement, EMS and corrections, among others. The company was founded by Rick Smith, who is now its CEO. Axon’s website says Smith “founded the company in a Tucson garage in 1993 after two of his friends were shot and killed.”