Groundbreaking research led by Northumbria
University has revealed how the use of an independent Data Ethics Advisory
Committee by West Midlands Police has transformed the understanding of how to
achieve responsible artificial intelligence (AI) in policing, offering a
blueprint for a national model of oversight.
Over the past five years, the West Midlands
Police and Crime Commissioner (WMOPCC) and West Midlands Police (WMP) have
maintained an innovative Data Ethics Committee. This interdisciplinary body,
comprised of independent experts in law, computer science, ethics, social
impact, and victims’ rights, advises on the design, development, and deployment
of advanced AI tools and data analytics in policing. The new research highlights how this independent advisory model has transformed police officers'
understanding of the ethical and technical implications of AI, while
simultaneously ensuring that human rights are at the forefront of thinking
around new technology initiatives.
The research has been led by Professor
Marion Oswald MBE from Northumbria Law School, in collaboration with colleagues
from Northumbria, Northampton, Glasgow and Aberdeen Universities, and
partnering with the office of the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner
and West Midlands Police. Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council
(AHRC) through its Bridging
Responsible AI Divides (BRAID) programme, the research concludes that this
type of independent advice can help to bridge the gap between ethical
reflection, scientific rigor, and human rights considerations in law
enforcement.
The
study found that the Committee’s work did not impede operational policing, but
rather supported it, leading to more responsible and ethical AI use. It
concluded that such independent scrutiny could serve as a model for responsible
AI use nationwide.
Commenting
on the significance of the research, Assistant Chief Constable Matt Welsted from West
Midlands Police said: “WMP is a highly innovative force dedicated to delivering
the best possible service to the public in the most efficient and effective
way. Often this involves cutting edge technology and sophisticated data
analytics which although exciting, comes with significant
responsibilities. This research and the recommendations made will be
invaluable to helping us and other forces get this balance right and ensure
that the decisions we make and the tools we use to police our communities are
ethical and legitimate”.
Key Findings:
- Police officers gained valuable insights into technical, operational,
legal, and ethical aspects of AI through engagement with the Committee.
One officer reflected: “When I went to the ethics committee, I actually
had my eyes opened... There were some considerations that I didn’t
understand initially, but as I got more into the project, I could
absolutely see the relevance.”
- The Committee’s advice directly influenced the development of AI and
data tools, with adjustments made based on its recommendations.
- The Committee members, in turn, gained a deeper understanding of the
operational pressures police officers face and the potential of AI to
enhance policing services, while still protecting community interests and
victims’ rights.
The research, which included interviews with Committee
members, police officers, data scientists, and community representatives, as
well as a review of Committee documents and observations of technology in
action, calls for greater community involvement in the data ethics process. The
research team emphasizes that community trust in AI policing tools can only be
achieved if the voices of community representatives are respected and visibly
influential. The research also concluded that more attention should be paid to
a wider range of human rights responsibilities. There also needed to be sufficient
time taken in Committee meetings to understand technical details, how AI
outputs will be used in operational policing and how AI might support police
responsibilities for public safety.
Professor Marion Oswald MBE, chair of the
Committee, led the research project, with the interviews and research analysis
being carried out by other members of the research team. Professor Oswald said:
“An interdisciplinary Data Ethics Committee, such as the one maintained by West
Midlands Police, is crucial for ensuring responsible use of AI in policing. By
integrating diverse perspectives and expertise, the Committee enhances the
validity and ethical grounding of AI tools, fosters transparent dialogue, and
addresses critical issues of privacy and public safety. Its success hinges on
clear roles, community representation, and robust support, offering a model for
national strategy and guiding others in the ethical deployment of advanced data
technologies.
“Our research underscores the importance of
balancing technological advancement with ethical oversight, advocating for a
structured, transparent, and inclusive approach to AI in policing, with the
West Midlands Data Ethics Committee serving as a leading example.”
Northumbria University has a global reputation for research and
teaching in AI and Professor Oswald is the principal investigator of the
Responsible AI UK Keystone project ‘PROBabLE Futures: Probabilistic AI Systems
in Law Enforcement Futures’. The University was recently awarded £9 million by
UK Research and Innovation to establish a Centre for Doctoral Training in the
field of AI. Known as the Citizen-Centred AI (CCAI), it focuses on the
inclusion of citizens in the design and evaluation of AI – helping to make the
rapidly advancing technology work for ordinary people.
