In a landmark move for British law enforcement, two police forces have become the first in the country to deploy an artificial intelligence officer. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, together with Thames Valley Police, have launched a virtual assistant named 'Bobbi' in a pioneering trial.
Meet Bobbi: The Automated Bobby
The new AI officer, named after the slang term 'Bobby' for a police officer, is designed to provide a novel way for the public to make contact. Bobbi will answer frequently asked, non-emergency questions, operating as an entirely automated system. A police spokesman confirmed that Bobbi will interact with users like a human but is powered completely by technology.
This initiative marks the first use of such technology within UK policing. It is intended to offer an additional service channel, complementing existing online forms, telephone lines, and front counter services for individuals who prefer using a virtual assistant.
How the AI Police Officer Works
It is crucial for the public to understand the system's limitations. Bobbi cannot be used to report a crime and is not an alternative to the emergency 999 line. The virtual assistant has been developed to provide suggestions and recommendations based on the same guidelines and information available to human call handlers.
During its development phase, Bobbi was tested by more than 200 people, including representatives from victim care groups and independent scrutiny panels. If the AI is unable to answer a question or if a user explicitly requests to speak to a person, the chat is automatically directed to a 'digital desk operator'—a real human employee.
A Work in Progress for Modern Policing
Chief Superintendent Simon Dodds, the Head of Contact Management for both police forces, described Bobbi as a 'work in progress'. He highlighted the increasing volume of contact received by police forces year-on-year, both online and over the phone.
'Empathy, common sense and that intangible gut instinct are some of the many human skills that need to guide our interactions with the public,' stated Dodds. He explained that the goal is to allow human call handlers to focus their valuable skills on emergencies and complex, sensitive issues, while Bobbi handles common, non-urgent inquiries.
Chief Superintendent Dodds added that the technology will continue to be trained by experienced staff to fix any issues, remain current with legislation, and evolve in line with community needs.
The adoption of AI by the police follows a wider trend of public bodies exploring the technology to manage costs. However, this shift has sparked debates about its effectiveness and potential impact on the job market. A recent study suggested that one in six employers anticipate job cuts over the next year due to the rise of artificial intelligence, with junior roles being most at risk.
