Head of IOPC warns criminals will walk free if Police do not control AI use

Criminals in England and Wales could be acquitted without robust policies governing the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) in investigations, the head of the police watchdog has warned.

Rachel Watson, Director-General of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), cautioned that AI hallucinations could compromise evidence, trigger mistrials, and expose officers to misconduct proceedings unless police chiefs set clear operating standards. Watson has written to the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), highlighting the threat fabricated information poses to police integrity.

The warning follows a criminal investigation into a suspended Derbyshire Police detective constable who allegedly instructed an AI chatbot to generate evidential court material designed to maximise odds of a conviction and length of sentence. 

While the IOPC has only received four referrals to date, Watson noted that further serious cases likely remain undetected. Acknowledging that productivity gains make adopting AI technology an imperative for overstretched forces, Watson stressed that appropriate safeguards, sensible policies, and human accountability are essential.

£ - This article requires a subscription.

Training Announcement: Freevacy offers a range of independently recognised professional AI governance qualifications and AI Literacy short courses that enable specialist teams to implement robust oversight, benchmark AI governance maturity, and establish a responsible-by-design approach across the entire AI lifecycle. Find out more.