Adopting new software is a huge decision for any agency, but there’s often more involved than what initially meets the eye. While it’s easy to get excited about implementing new technology, command staff need to consider multiple aspects of their purchase to ensure they maximize their department’s investment.
Using artificial intelligence tools, specifically facial recognition technology (FRT), comes with an even greater responsibility, as legal obligations come along with the benefits the solution brings. It’s imperative that a robust program is built around a department’s use of FRT, but where should an agency begin?
No matter how large or small, tech-savvy or inexperienced an agency might be, these steps are critical to the success of an FRT program.
FUNDING A NEW ADDITION
Software can be a large expenditure, and it’s often difficult enough for departments to preserve room in their budgets for solutions that are already in use. Bringing facial recognition technology into the fold, however, adds a layer of complexity.
“With new technology like ours, it’s often not in the budget because we haven’t always been there,” said Winston Pingeon, account executive at Clearview AI and former U.S. Capitol police officer. “We’re not replacing a different vendor – we are a new tool being added into the toolbox.”
Funding can often be secured through a variety of local, state and federal grants. However, agencies shouldn’t overlook potential flexibility in their own budgets – especially if a software solution demonstrates clear value.
“When you go to your chief or city council and say, ‘This case would have taken 100 man-hours but because we used FRT it only took us 10 hours,’ that demonstrates the tool is helping you work more efficiently, therefore saving your agency money,” explained Clearview AI’s federal engagement manager, Josh Findley, a retired Homeland Security Investigations special agent.
PICKING YOUR TEAM
Although facial recognition technology software can be straightforward to use, there are a number of individuals who play a role in its success. An implementation team should be developed prior to an agency putting FRT into use, with key members including:
- Analysts and investigators who will play a pivotal role in the implementation of facial recognition technology. As end users of the technology to develop leads and intelligence in cases, analysts and investigators must be front and center in the decision process to understand the types of investigations it should be used for, the users in the agencies that will need access and any policy considerations that may affect investigative outcomes.
- A technology director who can support the program. This individual must work closely with the department’s IT staff to ensure all integrations are considered, as FRT solutions like Clearview AI can connect with an existing RMS, JMS or other system that houses images legally obtained by the agency through their larger records management process.
- A policy director and/or accreditation manager to develop an FRT program policy. The agency’s chief, legal counsel and other key stakeholders should work closely with this individual to determine how FRT should – and shouldn’t – be used within the department.
- A training manager to guide sworn and civilian staff on FRT use. Software know-how is one piece of the puzzle, but ensuring all users understand departmental policy is critical to the success of the program.
- An administrator/auditor to add and remove users from the systems in accordance with agency policy and to also periodically review user searches. This will look different from department to department based on the frequency of FRT use, yet ensures staff are adhering to agency policy.
These roles are instrumental in any FRT program and could be filled by individual staff members or, in smaller departments, assumed by only two or three people.
DEVELOPING A POLICY
Facial recognition technology comes with a lot of misunderstandings and misconceptions about its use, sometimes leading to citizen skepticism when an agency adopts it. To alleviate these concerns, and to ensure departments use the software appropriately, a comprehensive FRT policy must be written.
This can be a large task to undertake and should involve the chief of police along with other key stakeholders. Some agencies even solicit feedback from the public when developing their policy as a means to foster transparency within the community and emphasize that their privacy is being preserved. Some states offer model FRT policies for law enforcement agencies to use, such as the Commonwealth of Virginia State Police Model Facial Recognition Technology Policy available online.
Findley recommends agencies look to other departments that have implemented an FRT program and use theirs as a guiding model, tailoring their own policy according to their departmental and community perspectives.
“One of the things to include in your policy is peer review of image results and that this isn’t the only tool used in an investigation,” Findley continued. “This isn’t the only tool you would use when you have an unknown face in an investigation. This is one of many tools you have. Things like that in your policy can help. It can also sometimes be hard for departments to look to the future. Consider how this technology is going to be used in five years, not how it’s been used in the past five years, and really develop your policy.”
CRAFTING YOUR TRAINING PROGRAM
FRT software tools like Clearview AI can be easy to use, but that doesn’t mean every authorized user will be able to operate the platform in the exact way your agency requires without sufficient training. A robust training program is required and should address not only the mechanics of the software but also how to compare images and implement the principles outlined in an agency’s FRT policy.
“Not only do we offer training to agencies when they sign up and come on board with us but we require it because we know the system administrator must be trained on how our tool works and how to use it appropriately,” said Pingeon.
Ensuring officers are trained correctly makes the task of auditing the FRT program much easier. Clearview AI requires users to enter a case number, crime type and a purpose for each image search they perform. Because uploaded images are only accessible internally, someone in the department must review the searches on a regular cadence.
What that looks like will vary from department to department, says Findley. The time the search was performed, the information the user typed in and the results will all be viewable by the individual user and the account administrator. Through administrator oversight and control, agencies can ensure the technology is being used in accordance with agency policy and legal guidelines established by their city, county or state.
ESTABLISHING USERS AND USE CASES
The final step in implementing an FRT program is determining who will be using the platform and for what purposes. This operational piece is necessary to ensure that the technology is used responsibly and in cases that can benefit from additional leads. Facial recognition technology, Findley stresses, is not determinative, but rather to help develop a lead and provide more information about an investigation.
“We offer internal reporting on account searches so the account administrator can easily pull a report from any time to share with the chief or the community or any other stakeholder who might be asking how Clearview AI has been used by a department,” said Pingeon. “They can pull that data and say, ‘In the last two weeks, we ran X number of investigations and of this crime type.’” Through administrator oversight and reporting, agencies can provide transparency to their community about the frequency, usage and outcomes of their facial recognition searches. This transparency builds trust through awareness of how the technology is being used in investigations.
WORK UP FRONT PROVES FRUITFUL IN THE LONG RUN
Each agency adopting facial recognition technology should tailor their implementation plan in a way that makes sense for their needs, but the fundamental steps should remain the same. The importance of an FRT program can’t be understated, particularly as technology continues to advance.
“It’s going to make you more efficient,” said Findley. “You’re going to do your job better and faster. You’re going to save money. You’re going to solve more cases, faster. You’re going to help keep your officers and community members safer. That’s enough reason to go over the hurdles – but it takes commitment and up-front work to instill a program that will be responsible, effective and worth it in the end.”
Visit Clearview AI for more information.
