By Joanna Putman
Police1
POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A Florida sheriff’s office is launching a new unit dedicated to combatting cybercrime through the use of artificial intelligence.
In a partnership with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, students and faculty at Florida Polytechnic University will provide technical and research support for the initiative, Florida Politics reported.
“Modern law enforcement needs to stay ahead of the technological curve when it comes to preventing, fighting and solving crime,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. “With the incredible upside potential benefits of artificial intelligence, there is a downside: criminals will use the technology to commit crime.”
Judd emphasized that the unit will not only focus on investigations but also on vision, discovery and creativity to keep the community safe, according to the report. The partnership with Florida Polytechnic University will leverage the institution’s expertise and human talent to enhance crime-fighting capabilities.
The new unit will focus on obtaining and maintaining advanced training and tools to identify AI-related crimes and assist in criminal investigations involving cyber harassment, identity theft, extortion, hate crimes and other cybercrimes, according to the report. Florida Polytechnic University will support the unit by developing advanced technology solutions and providing real-world professional experience for students.
“This working partnership with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office is a natural fit for our mission to serve students and industry,” said Florida Polytechnic University President Randy K. Avent. “We strive to find real-life applications to bring value to our students’ education and value to our community. This is one more way that we are leaders in building Florida’s technology-based economy.”
AI in policing: A game-changer or a challenge? 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.