In what the Campbell Police Department describes as an “equalizer,” its officers’ body-worn cameras are now using artificial intelligence as a translator in real time during traffic stops.
The South Bay department is the first local law enforcement agency to use the technology.
Campbell police leaders say the new tech can be a game changer in a diverse community. It can provide translation services in dozens of languages immediately.
During a recent traffic stop in the city, the driver did not speak English, and the officer didn’t speak the driver’s native language, Vietnemese. The officer asked a question in English: “Miss Trinh, do you normally travel on Leigh Avenue?” Then the officer clicks a button on his bodycam and wait for a translation.
The AI technology allows the officer to have a one-on-one conversation with the driver in the driver’s language.
Before the new technology, the officer would have to wait for a Vietnamese-speaking officer to help translate or call in to a translation service, both of which can take up a lot of time.
“This is cutting down those language barriers,” Capt. Ian White said. How we look at it is we’re providing a better level of services in our community. The Bay Area is very diverse. There’s numerous languages spoken on any given day.”
The AI technology downloaded on the body cameras is certified to translate more than 50 languages, and more languages are on the way.
Conversations also are kept as official records, in case they need to be used in court.
“I think this has the potential to be a huge game-changer when you think about emergency service delays, having problems in the field of work,” White said.
Experts applaud the use of the technology, saying the capabilities in general are vast.
“AI in general is along three things: Fast, accurate and cheaper,” said Ahmed Banafa, a professor of engineering at San Jose State. “When you do something, you’re going to ask how I can do it fast, cheaper and more accurate.”
The front desk at the Campbell Police Department headquarters also is using the new technology.
Soon, the entire duty manual will be on the app, in case an officer needs help in the field — an evolving technology, aiming to bridge the divide between officers and those they’re sworn to protect and serve.
Source: NBC Bay Area