Met Police chief says existing legal safeguards on police use of AI are sufficient

Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has dismissed concerns regarding the expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) in policing, arguing that embracing technology is essential to keep pace with increasingly sophisticated criminals. Addressing the issue following a summit at City Hall, Sir Mark stated that Londoners are more concerned about the police falling behind technologically than about the overuse of AI.

Faced with declining officer numbers and constrained resources, MPS are increasingly deploying AI to process video evidence from roughly one million CCTV cameras across London. The force revealed that the early application of AI in serious crime investigations has saved the equivalent of 454 officer-days, accelerating progress and freeing up frontline resources.

While academics and human rights campaigners have called for a comprehensive legislative framework and powerful regulators to oversee police AI procurement and usage, Sir Mark maintained that existing safeguards, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Human Rights Act 1998, and the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice, provide sufficient legal safeguards. Rejecting calls to delay rollout until new laws are passed, he argued that the legislative process moves too slowly for rapid technological advancements. Sir Mark urged decision-makers to encourage faster AI adoption, describing data exploitation and automation as critical to maintaining a competitive advantage against criminals.

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