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Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing various industries and policing is no exception. AI offers tools that can enhance efficiency, accuracy and overall effectiveness in law enforcement. However, the adoption of these technologies also raises critical questions about privacy, bias and the ethical use of AI in public safety.
In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Chief Philip Lukens on how AI is being used in policing.
With a career spanning nearly three decades, Chief Lukens has been at the forefront of integrating innovative technologies in policing. As a leading expert in AI, he has been instrumental in pioneering the use of artificial intelligence in tandem with community policing, significantly enhancing police operations and optimizing patrol methods. Learn more about Chief Lukens’ policing initiatives here.
About our sponsor
This episode of the Policing Matters podcast is sponsored by Skydio. Learn more about how Skydio enhances public safety and operational efficiency by visiting Skydio.com.
About our guest
Philip Lukens served as the Chief of Police in Alliance, Nebraska from December 2020 until his resignation in September 2023. He began his law enforcement career in Colorado in 1995. He is known for his innovative approach to policing. As a leading expert in AI, he has been instrumental in pioneering the use of artificial intelligence in tandem with community policing, significantly enhancing police operations and optimizing patrol methods.
His focus on data-driven strategies and community safety has led to significant reductions in crime rates and use of force. Under Lukens’ leadership, his agency received the Victims Services Award in 2022 from the International Association of Chiefs of Police. He is a member of the IACP-PPSEAI Committee - Human Trafficking Committee, PERF, NIJ LEADS, Future Policing Institute Fellow and ASEBP Board Member. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminology from Colorado Technical University. He has also earned multiple certifications, including Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command, PERF’s Senior Management Institute for Police, Supervisor Institute with FBI LEEDA, and IACP’s Leadership in Police Organizations. Connect on LinkedIn.
Key takeaways
- Integration challenges: Implementing AI systems in policing involves overcoming significant integration challenges, especially when dealing with multiple software platforms and ensuring compatibility across different systems.
- Layered approach: Effective evidence-based policing requires a layered approach, combining data analytics with community engagement and proactive measures to address crime hotspots without over-policing.
- Transparency and trust: Maintaining transparency with the community and involving them in policy-making processes are crucial for gaining public trust when deploying new surveillance technologies like cameras and ALPRs.
- Ethical considerations: There is a need for careful consideration of the ethical implications of AI, such as avoiding biases in facial recognition technology and ensuring that AI tools are used responsibly.
- Collaborative potential: Building federated networks and collaborating across agencies can enhance the effectiveness of AI in law enforcement, helping to address regional issues more comprehensively and share valuable insights and resources.
Recent Police1 articles by Chief Lukens
- Ethical frontiers: The unintended consequences of surveillance technologies
- Navigating the digital deluge: Preparing for the future of evidence
- Improving law enforcement with ALPR technology
- AI’s role in redefining policing: A 10-year projection
- An introduction to how AI is transforming real time crime centers
Additional Police1 resources on law enforcement use of artificial intelligence
- On-demand webinar: Future-proofing your police department: Navigating the technological tsunami
- AI is set to revolutionize policing: Are we ready?
- Leading the digital beat: LAPD’s deputy chief talks technology’s role in shaping the future of policing
- How AI analysis of police bodycam video can identify best policing practices
- AI in law enforcement: Old and new challenges
- Advancing policing through AI: Insights from the global law enforcement community
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