Criminal cases risk collapse and officers face misconduct allegations unless police forces implement clear policies governing the use of artificial intelligence (AI), the head of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has warned. Rachel Watson, the IOPC’s director-general, emphasized the need for safeguards to prevent misuse of AI in investigations, highlighting the technology’s potential to introduce incorrect information that could undermine justice.

Watson’s comments follow a recent incident at Derbyshire Police, where a detective constable was suspended amid a criminal investigation into the alleged use of AI to generate evidential material. The officer reportedly instructed a chatbot to prepare court documents aimed at securing a conviction and severe sentencing, raising concerns over the integrity of the evidence. The police watchdog described this case as a "jolt" to the policing system, underscoring the risks associated with the growing use of AI tools.

In addition to the Derbyshire case, the IOPC has two active investigations involving AI misuse. One concerns a detective chief inspector at Derbyshire Police who allegedly relied on AI to maintain critical investigative logs. Another involves West Midlands Police, which used a dossier containing fabricated information produced by Microsoft’s Copilot AI to recommend banning visiting supporters from Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv at a football match against Aston Villa last year—a decision that sparked political controversy.

While the IOPC encourages police forces to refer only the most serious AI-related cases for investigation, Watson cautioned that these known cases might represent only a fraction of wider misuse. Research has uncovered additional instances, including one where a newly recruited Sussex Police officer resigned amid a misconduct probe triggered by using AI to assist with a witness statement and subsequently denying it.

Watson, who previously served as policing director at the Home Office, has urged the National Police Chiefs’ Council to develop clear guidelines around AI use. She acknowledged the benefits the technology offers in alleviating administrative burdens and improving efficiency across the 43 overstretched police forces in England and Wales but stressed that "appropriate guidelines" are essential for maintaining public confidence and protecting trial integrity.

PoliceAI, a specialist unit designed to support the use of AI in policing, said it is collaborating with partners including the IOPC to establish consistent standards, training, and oversight. The unit highlighted the importance of responsible AI deployment, emphasizing human accountability in decision-making processes.

With AI increasingly integrated into law enforcement, officials face the challenge of balancing technological advancements with rigorous controls to ensure justice is neither compromised nor obstructed.