San Francisco police test AI software that writes reports from body camera footage

The San Francisco Police Department is testing artificial intelligence software called Draft One that generates first drafts of police reports from body-worn camera recordings. The pilot program, which began last month, involves 54 officers at two stations using the AI tool for citations and misdemeanor cases, excluding domestic violence, sexual assault, and DUI incidents.

What you should know: The AI software extracts information from body camera footage to create initial report drafts, though officers must still review, edit, and sign off on accuracy before submission.

• As of Tuesday, “no current report narrative drafted by Draft One involves an arrest,” according to police officials.
• Officers must disclose in their reports when Draft One was utilized.
• The pilot program runs through August, after which department leaders and the District Attorney’s Office will consider expanding its use.

How it works: Draft One is manufactured by Axon, the company that supplies San Francisco police with body-worn cameras.

• The software transcribes recordings from body cameras and produces portions of police reports automatically.
• Officers still must enter certain details manually and proofread the entire document before submission.
• The technology is currently limited to non-arrest situations involving citations or misdemeanor cases.

Why this matters: Police departments have long struggled with the time-consuming nature of report writing and paperwork, seeking technological solutions to get officers back in the field more quickly.

• The initiative aligns with SFPD’s broader embrace of new technologies, including drones, license plate readers, and traffic cameras.
• Civil liberties groups, including the ACLU, have raised concerns about potential errors in official police reports and reduced transparency in the criminal justice process.

Who else is involved: Several other California police departments have already implemented Draft One software.

• San Mateo, East Palo Alto, and Campbell police departments are among those using the technology.
• Last year, Fresno police officials reported anecdotally that Draft One was working as intended and saving officers time during report writing.

The big picture: This pilot represents another step in law enforcement’s increasing adoption of AI tools, balancing efficiency gains against civil liberties concerns about accuracy and accountability in police documentation.