The United Kingdom is experimenting with using artificial intelligence to assess and detect potential issues within police forces before they have a negative impact on the public. The AI tool analyzes publicly available data to predict how effective, efficient, and legitimate a police force is. This tool is seen as an early-warning system to help prevent problems from worsening.

Until now, the Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has used PEEL assessments to monitor the performance of police forces in England and Wales. The PEEL framework measures Police Effectiveness, Efficiency, and Legitimacy, evaluating various aspects of police work including crime-solving, resource allocation, and public trust.

The current PEEL model has been effective but has faced issues with timeliness. Inspectors conduct assessments by reviewing data, observing officers, and gathering feedback from the public and police staff. However, this reactive approach means that problems are often only addressed after they have become serious issues.

To address this, the HMICFRS, in collaboration with the Accelerated Capability Environment (ACE), developed an AI algorithm to predict police force grades earlier and more accurately. The algorithm uses data from emergency calls, the Home Office, and the National Statistics Office to generate predictions that align closely with the PEEL assessment results.

While the AI tool is currently focused on assessing how well police forces investigate crime, there are plans to expand its application to other aspects of the PEEL framework in the future. Despite this technological advancement, HMICFRS plans to maintain the role of inspection teams and enhance their capabilities by integrating AI into their inspection processes. Fire and rescue departments are also being considered for potential AI integration in the future.