NovDec Associate Magazine.2018.

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With a reduction of workforce in police dispatch centers, will the public be inclined to interact with an automated computer instead of a real person, or will the gradual increase in daily inter- action with AI personal assistants lead to an expectation that law enforcement will follow suit? Furthermore, will technology ever develop to the level of effectively replacing people in law enforce- ment communications center without compromising compassion and community trust? Law enforcement leaders must anticipate a future of autonomous dispatch centers and ensure any imple- mentation has a positive effect on community relations and their police department. CONCLUSION Law enforcement communication centers have only been in existence for approximately seventy years. But in that short time, advancements in technology allows citizens to immedi- ately call law enforcement for help and speak to a police dis- patcher. Before the modern law enforcement dispatch centers, people would scream for help and officers would use bells or whistles to summon reinforcements. Our grandparents may re- member a time from their childhood when they did not have a telephone, but somehow, they were always able to get help in their time of need. AI-driven technology may take us back to the time without police dispatchers. A future may exist when someone calls 9-1-1 and Dispatcher AVA answers. Policy mak- ers and stakeholders must anticipate this future and ensure these changes have a positive effect on community relations and their police departments.

RCPD and Future Insight recognized they would be setting a new precedent for law enforcement. Although the software en- gineers caution the growing AI technology needs more time to advance, the partnership between big business and local govern- ment is an opportunity no one wants to oppose. Future Insight and city attorneys created a contract for the company to provide the technology and engineers to set-up and run the dispatch cen- ter, and RCPD agreed to use the money saved from reducing staff towards the cost and maintenance of the equipment. On January 1, 2023, AVA went live, using AI and cognitive analytics to answer 9-1-1 calls and dispatch officers for service. The transition from human to virtual dispatcher was encour- aging. As expected, most citizens calling the communications center never realized they were speaking to a computer. AVA assisted callers and was extremely effective in dispatching re- sources. But there were some instances where AVA did not un- derstand what was needed during an emergency. On occasion, tow trucks were sent instead of ambulances, police officers were dispatched to the wrong addresses, and poor connectiv- ity between the caller and AVA jeopardized the concept of an autonomous dispatch center. It would take over a year for engineers to overcome all of the issues and problems. During that time, AVA began learning from her mistakes and even anticipating the needs of callers and of- ficers. AVA now monitors the city and officer body-worn cameras with facial recognition and warns officers of dangerous or wanted individuals. As a result of AVA’s efficiencies, police response times and crime statistics are reduced, community members and offi- cers feel safer, and other police agencies begin inquiring how they can implement the technology. By 2026, law enforcement and community members have recognized and accepted the positive effects of autonomous dis- patching. AVA is now a “member of staff” providing for the safety of officers and the community. By 2030, many police agencies fol- low in RCPD’s footsteps. Just a decade earlier, law enforcement was working in the old ways. Now, AVA has cut costs, reduced inef- ficiencies, and enhanced service to the public. Newer employees wondered how they had ever done it as it had been done in the past. PREPARING FOR TOMORROW This scenario is a peek behind the curtain of how AI-technol- ogy and cognitive analytics can be used in autonomous dispatch- ing. Law enforcement is already using elements of these tech- nologies to track user’s electronics and predict an individual’s probability of committing an offense in the future. Police agen- cies are moving to more data-driven approaches in fighting and solving crimes and having the ability to analyze a 9-1-1 call im- mediately, access multiple databases, and provide real-time in- formation to police officers that will transform the expectations of police communication centers. Some will argue that communities will never accept speak- ing to an AI dispatcher. The future, though, will look very differ- ent than today. Scientists are developing computers that learn and make decisions and may even become sympathetic and em- pathetic. Google has developed Google Duplex ; an AI personal assistant featuring a human-sounding computer. As a result, Google already has a track record of real conversations between Duplex and people on the phone who did not even know they were talking to a robot.

About the Author: Lieutenant Don Redmond began his law enforcement career with the Chula Vista Police De- partment in 1996. Lt. Redmond has worked various as- signments throughout his career including Patrol Officer, SWAT, Field Agent, Patrol Sergeant, Professional Stan- dards Unit Sergeant, Watch Commander, Community Policing Commander and Professional Standards Unit Lieutenant. Currently, he is the Manager of the Police Department Jail and 911 Communications Center. Lt. Redmond has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from San Diego State University and a Master of Arts De- gree in Administrative Leadership from the University of Oklahoma. He is presently attending the California POST Command College (Class 64) and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy Session 263.

continued from "Chaplain" page 24 meeting, take notes and concentrate on all aspects of the issue being discussed. When you are writing an email or text give it your full attention. When you find yourself approaching every encounter, project, or issue, give it 100%. This habit will cause your life to become deliberate concentration to everything you are doing. As a result, your interactions with others, your bible study, your input into projects will all improve as you strive for excellence. Remember Psalm 119:129, “Every word you give me is a mir- acle word … Break open your words, let the sun shine out, let ordi- nary people see the meaning.” MSG

Until next time, God Bless and feel free to contact me at any time.

Jeff Kruithoff, Chaplain

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