Police Departments Adopted AI for Incident Reporting
Michigan departments are integrating artificial intelligence tools to draft reports from body camera footage.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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Law enforcement agencies are increasingly using artificial intelligence software to transcribe and draft incident reports from body camera audio and video. While officers verify the accuracy of these drafts, the technology aims to reduce paperwork and allow for more time spent in the community.
Why it matters
The transition to AI-assisted documentation seeks to improve officer efficiency and reporting quality. However, officials remain focused on mitigating the legal risks associated with potential software errors in court cases.
Wayne County prosecutors are currently developing a formal policy to govern the use of AI in police reporting. This process addresses the risk of errors that could impact the integrity of court cases.
The players
Axon Enterprise
This company is an Arizona-based manufacturer of law enforcement technology and is the developer of the Draft One artificial intelligence software.
Kym Worthy
As the Wayne County Prosecutor, she is actively overseeing the development of policies to manage the potential legal risks posed by AI-generated reports.
Portage Police Department
This Michigan agency has begun utilizing the Draft One software to assist its officers with the documentation of incident reports.
The details
The software, known as Draft One and produced by Axon Enterprise, analyzes footage from body-worn cameras to generate text drafts. Officers must review and verify the generated content to ensure that all documentation is accurate before filing.
Timeline
A 2024 University of South Carolina study found no change in report writing time.
A 2025 University of South Carolina study identified improvements in writing time and report quality.
Legal Context
The adoption of these tools reflects a broader trend in law enforcement seeking to integrate administrative automation into judicial workflows. It marks a departure from traditional manual reporting, following findings from the 2025 University of South Carolina study on report quality.
The move toward AI reporting aims to increase the presence of officers on patrol by reducing the time spent on administrative tasks. Residents may see changes in how reports are filed as departments weigh the efficiency gains against the necessity for strict accuracy in documentation.
The takeaway
Officers must continue to prioritize the manual verification of all AI-generated drafts to ensure transparency. Implementing these tools requires a careful balance between the benefits of speed and the requirement for legal accuracy.
Further reading
Learn more about local policing developments at Law Enforcement.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Press.
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