Artificial Intelligence is no longer a distant concept—it’s here, embedded in the daily operations of local institutions, including law enforcement. In Saratoga Springs, the police department has implemented a generative AI tool called Axon Draft One, designed to assist officers with report writing. While its purpose is practical—streamlining paperwork and improving documentation—it raises deeper questions about transparency, accountability, and the evolving role of technology in public service.
As AI systems begin shaping how officers record and relay events, residents deserve clarity on what these tools do—and what they don’t. This article examines the SSPD’s adoption of GenAI, exploring its mechanics, its promises, and the ethical guardrails that aim to keep human judgment at the center of policing.
What Is Axon Draft One and How Does It Work?
Axon Draft One is an AI-assisted report writing tool integrated into the department’s Axon Records system. It generates draft narratives using audio from an officer’s body-worn camera (BWC) and verbal summaries recorded after an incident.
Here’s how the process works:
- After responding to a call for service, the officer records a verbal summary.
- Draft One combines this summary with BWC audio transcripts to generate a preliminary report.
- The officer then reviews, edits, and verifies the draft before submitting it through the standard approval process.
The system is designed to support, but not replace, human judgment. Officers are explicitly prohibited from using GenAI to rationalize decisions or conduct legal analysis.
What AI Could Improve: Speed, Detail, and Compliance
The department has deployed 55 licenses for Draft One and unlimited access to Axon’s Auto-Transcribe service (GEN-AI Inventory). The goals are clear:
- Time Savings: Officers face growing documentation demands. Automating the first draft allows more time for patrol and community engagement.
- Detailed Narratives: Pulling directly from BWC transcripts may capture more nuance than an officer’s memory alone.
- Policy Compliance: Draft One helps structure reports to meet departmental standards, reducing formatting errors and omissions.
Where AI Falls Short: Errors, Bias, and Data Concerns
Despite its promise, the department acknowledges several risks:
- Inaccuracy Risks: Draft One can misinterpret audio or context. Officers must verify every detail before submission.
- Bias Potential: GenAI systems may reflect societal or algorithmic biases. Officers are trained to review outputs for fairness and neutrality.
- Data Privacy: Protected information—such as investigative details or personal data—must not be entered unless contractual safeguards are in place. Axon confirms that all AI features are governed under its direct agreements, and customer data is not used to train models unless an agency opts in (Axon Email).
- Situational Limits: The system struggles with chaotic scenes, overlapping voices, non-English dialogue, and complex cases. It is not used for serious crimes or extended interviews.
Guardrails and Accountability: How SSPD Manages AI Use
SSPD has implemented two formal policies, Policy 395 and Policy 397, to govern GenAI use. These policies emphasize ethical deployment, human oversight, and data protection. The policy is included in its entirety at the end of the article before the bibliography.
Key safeguards include:
- AI Coordinator Oversight: The Investigations Unit Supervisor serves as the AI Coordinator, responsible for evaluating system trustworthiness, conducting audits, and coordinating with legal and IT teams.
- Training Requirements: Officers must complete initial and refresher training on GenAI use, bias detection, and data privacy.
- Disclaimer and Certification: All AI-assisted reports must include a disclaimer and a certification from the author confirming the report has been reviewed for accuracy.
- Privacy Protections: Officers are instructed to use generic placeholders (e.g., “suspect,” “victim”) and avoid inputting sensitive data unless the system is contractually approved for such use.
- Prohibited Uses: GenAI may not be used to justify enforcement decisions or serve as the sole basis for legal interpretation.
Civic Reflection: Technology with a Human Touch
The Saratoga Springs Police Department’s adoption of GenAI reflects a broader trend in law enforcement, but it also underscores the need for transparency, oversight, and community engagement. As AI becomes a fixture in public institutions, efficiency must never come at the expense of accountability. The Sentinel will continue monitoring how these tools evolve—and how they shape the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
Bibliography: AI Use in Saratoga Springs Policing
- Saratoga Springs Police Department.
Axon Draft One Training Presentation. Internal training document. October 2025. - Saratoga Springs Police Department.
Policy 395 – Artificial Intelligence Use. Saratoga Springs PD Policy Manual. Published August 2025 by Lexipol, LLC. - Saratoga Springs Police Department.
Policy 397 – Generative Artificial Intelligence Use. Saratoga Springs PD Policy Manual. Published August 2025 by Lexipol, LLC. - Saratoga Springs Police Department.
GenAI Axon Equipment/Software Inventory. Internal inventory record. Dated July 11, 2025. - Clark, ShannaRae.
Email correspondence with Travis Cole, Axon/TASER Account Manager. Subject: “FW: AI use contract?” October 1, 2025.
Includes Axon’s statement on contractual safeguards and data privacy.
Axon Responsible Innovation
Photo by Scott Rodgerson on Unsplash
Mike Kieffer – Editor-in-Chief, Cedar Valley Sentinel
Mike Kieffer is a dynamic leader and community advocate based in Eagle Mountain, Utah. He serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Cedar Valley Sentinel, a local publication dedicated to informing, inspiring, and elevating the Cedar Valley community through honest and accurate journalism. With a passion for fostering connections, Kieffer has made it his mission to highlight local businesses, provide reliable news, and support community development.
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