Police departments across the United States are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to help reduce time spent on paperwork, with tools like “Draft One” cutting report-writing time by as much as 70%. Developed by law enforcement technology company Axon, the AI-powered software generates first drafts of police reports using body camera audio transcripts, allowing officers to focus more on responding to calls rather than typing lengthy narratives.
In Fort Collins, Colorado, Officer Scott Brittingham admitted initial skepticism but quickly saw the benefits when a task that once took 45 minutes could now be done in about 10. “Spending less time on reports means I can take more calls for service and be proactive in preventing crime,” he said. Technology Sergeant Bob Younger, who helped bring the tool to the department, said the results were “blown away” fast, accurate, and game-changing for efficiency.
The process is straightforward: after an officer records an incident, Draft One transcribes the audio and produces a draft report within seconds. Officers must then review and fill in bracketed placeholders before submitting the final version. Axon insists that human oversight remains critical, stressing that each report must still reflect the officer’s own account and be signed off accordingly.
The technology is powered by a customized version of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, trained to reduce factual inaccuracies known as “hallucinations” and minimize bias. Axon says it also consults with academics, restorative justice advocates, and community leaders to ensure responsible use.
However, not everyone is convinced. Legal experts and civil rights groups warn of potential risks, including bias in AI-generated narratives, misinterpretation of accents or nonverbal cues, and missing context that could influence legal outcomes. Critics argue that even minor AI errors could have serious consequences in the criminal justice process, where police reports often determine whether charges are filed or how courts set bail.
King County, Washington’s prosecutor’s office has already declined to accept AI-assisted reports, citing the risk of unintentional inaccuracies. Transparency has also become a sticking point while Draft One offers a disclaimer stating reports were drafted with AI, departments can disable it. In Utah, lawmakers have moved to make such disclosures mandatory.
Axon counters that the tool is meant to address widespread staffing shortages in law enforcement. A recent survey found U.S. police agencies were operating at least 10% below authorized staffing levels. “Anything a police department can adopt to make them more efficient is the name of the game right now,” said Axon President Josh Isner.
