Ethical review to support Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) in policing: A preliminary study of West Midlands Police's specialist data ethics review committee

Marion Oswald, Claire Paterson-Young, Pauline McBride, Michael Maher, Muffy Calder, Gitanjali Gill, Elizabeth Tiarks, William Noble

Research output: Book/ReportCommissioned Report

Abstract

The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (WMOPCC) and the West Midlands Police (WMP) have for the past five years maintained a Data Ethics Committee to advise on the design, development and deployment of advanced data analytics and AI capabilities. This Committee comprises people drawn from backgrounds in academia, industry, public/third sector and policing. Since 2019, it has met at least on a quarterly basis, advising and making recommendations on each occasion on several projects and proposed tools, from in-principle analysis to tools ready for operational use. Its papers and minutes are published via WMOPCC.

This interdisciplinary research used mixed-methods (including 26 interviews) to review the impact and influence of the Committee, and to recommend to national bodies, other forces and to WMP/WMOPCC factors that affect how best to go about using independent advisors in this context. Lessons from the Committee’s experience, together with a single structured framework could inform a coherent and consistent national approach. The Conclusions and Recommendations (for national strategy, police, Committee members, community representatives, academia and research funding bodies) are presented in the report.
Original languageEnglish
PublisherNorthumbria University
Commissioning bodyArts & Humanities Research Council
Number of pages106
Publication statusPublished - 11 Sept 2024

Keywords

  • AI
  • Policing
  • Ethics
  • Community Engagement

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