Our technology is everywhere, and growing more everyday. We’ve already got cameras at traffic lights, analytics tracking on our internet searches, and AI producing artwork. From entertainment to law enforcement, AI has become a familiar part of our lives. Now, reminiscent of blockbuster science fiction movies, we’ve got body cam AI scanners that can possibly detect crimes before they even happen.
Truleo, an AI audio scanner that helps sift through countless hours of body cam footage, detects aggressive language and patterns, says GeekWire. Founded in Chicago in 2021 by Anthony Tassone, the technology was originally intended to monitor phone calls and text messages between Wall Street bankers, says the article. Now, it’s being utilized by police departments, especially in Seattle, which is known as the “anchor customer” for Truleo.
Surveillance of linguistic patterns could suggest an officer having a potential problem with the public. The AI platform can sift through thousands of conversations that would take a human innumerable amounts of time. Police departments are able to quickly identify “at-risk incidents and department wide trends,” says GeekWire.
This technology comes at a pivotal time in law enforcement, especially concerning the recent and brutal death of Tyre Nichols. Nichols, 29, a FedEx driver and aspiring photographer, was the father to a 4-year-old son and took photos of landscapes, his favorite type of photography, says Petapixel. On January 7th, Nichols was pulled over in Memphis, TN, for what officers claim was reckless driving, said NPR. Nichols got out of the vehicle and started running from the officers. After catching up to him, five police officers aggressively beat Nichols. He died in the hospital three days later. Body camera footage of the horrendous murder was released by the city of Memphis in late January, said NPR, that shows the officers blocking some of their body cams to hide their actions. All five officers were fired shortly after the incident.
Even though there were bouts of darkness during the video, there was still audio of the crime, says Petapixel. In this case of police violence, Truleo could’ve helped by scanning the audio of the body cams and alerting the event. Even more importantly, says the article, the AI platform would have picked up on earlier accounts of aggressive language “deteriorating professionalism that led up to the brutal, tragic beating.” Tassone believes that Truleo could improve the culture of law enforcement through transparency and visibility of behavior, reported ABC11.
There are mixed opinions about the technology, said Tassone, who says the police chiefs worried about recruiting, morale, and retention should educate new officers about the AI platform. Tassone went on to say that Truleo will not act as Big Brother but will help separate the good apples from the bad, reported Petapixel.
Although Truelo isn’t widespread yet, only active in California, Pennsylvania, Alabama, and Florida, it’s being used for training purposes around the country, says Level. In case studies done in California, a 36% reduction in the use of force by officers was reported after implementing the AI platform, says the article. Only time will tell how effective Truleo can be.
Police Brutality and Excessive Force Needs to Stop
Those who have fell victim or who have loved ones who have suffered from police brutality and lethal force need to have justice served and police accountable. Southern California civil rights attorneys at The Sehat Law firm will fight with you and stand up to those who abuse their power. Let’s hear your case: contact us now.
