Michigan’s law enforcement agencies have significantly expanded their use of surveillance technology over the past decade, though uncertainty remains high around the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, according to a new report from the University of Michigan’s Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy.
The Spring 2024 Michigan Public Policy Survey found that the use of body cameras, dashboard cameras, public surveillance systems, and drones by local law enforcement has grown substantially since 2015. In 2024, 77% of jurisdictions reported using body cameras, up from just 23% in 2015. Similarly, dashboard camera use rose from 55% to 74%, and public surveillance camera use nearly doubled from 28% to 50%. Drone use also saw a sharp rise, from 3% in 2015 to 31% in 2024, especially among larger jurisdictions.
While adoption of more traditional surveillance technologies has surged, the use of newer and more controversial technologies like automated license plate readers, facial recognition software, and predictive AI tools remains limited. Only 26% of sheriffs and police chiefs reported current use of license plate readers, and just 10% use facial recognition technology. Use of predictive policing tools, such as AI algorithms to anticipate crimes, remains rare at 3%.
The survey highlighted a broader skepticism about AI applications. A majority of local government officials, law enforcement leaders, and county prosecutors expressed uncertainty about the accuracy of AI tools compared to human decision-making. About 55% of local officials, 59% of sheriffs and police chiefs, and 66% of county prosecutors said they did not know if AI assessments were more or less accurate than human assessments.
Even among prosecutors, trust in AI varied significantly by application. While 50% said they trusted AI tools to identify high-risk neighborhoods and 45% trusted AI for forensic analysis, only 20% expressed trust in AI systems used for sentencing and parole decisions.
Despite the uncertainty, the report noted broad agreement that existing technology investments — particularly body and dashboard cameras — were worthwhile. However, local government officials were generally less enthusiastic than law enforcement leaders, particularly regarding emerging tools like AI.
As law enforcement continues to embrace new technologies, the findings suggest that transparency, oversight, and community engagement will be critical as agencies grapple with the ethical and operational challenges posed by AI and other advanced systems.
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