Governor Signs Bill Requiring Law Enforcement to Disclose Use of AI in Police Reports
Sacramento, CA– The Governor has signed SB 524, authored by Senator Jesse Arreguín (D-Oakland), requiring law enforcement agencies to disclose when Artificial Intelligence (AI) is used to write or assist in the creation of official reports.
“We’re not going to gamble with personal liberty. AI hallucinations happen at significant rates, and what goes in a police report can influence whether or not the state takes away someone’s freedom,” said Senator Jesse Arreguín. “These reports must meet the highest standards of accuracy and transparency to maintain trust in law enforcement. AI is helping streamline the amount of time police are spending writing reports, enabling them to spend more time keeping our communities safe. But we must strike a balance to welcome these rapid advancements and benefits while installing guardrails to hold this new technology accountable.”
As AI becomes increasingly integrated in daily life, a lack of regulations has raised concerns over its application, especially when it comes to its usage in documents that can be used in prosecution and legal matters that could have significant impacts on an individual’s freedom. While the power of AI has been harnessed by law enforcement agencies to advance public safety through efficiencies by improving dispatch times and assisting in investigations, AI remains vulnerable to errors that require human oversight. SB 524 improves the transparency and accuracy of official reports by disclosing the use of AI in such reports, retaining a first draft for as long as a final report is retained, and identifying the person who created the report, along with relevant video or audio footage that was relied on to create the report.
"Due process requires transparency," said Kate Chatfield, Executive Director of California Public Defenders Association. “Too often, police narratives become the default truth, even when they contain errors or biases. SB 524 ensures that law enforcement are transparent when they use AI to write their reports and ensures that these reports have an audit trail. Everyone in the legal system -- judges, juries, attorneys, and the accused -- deserve to know who wrote the police report. We are grateful to the Governor, Senator Arreguín, and all legislators who advanced this reform.”
California is the world’s leader in the development of AI, being home to 32 of the top 50 AI companies in the world. With the emergence of AI, the State Legislature in recent years has introduced dozens of bills designed to guide the advancement of AI while minimizing potential harm and unintended consequences. Earlier this year, the State partnered with leading AI experts and academics to publish the California Report on Frontier AI Policy, paving the way for ethical and safe applications for AI. SB 524 furthers California’s goal of maintaining its leadership in advancing artificial intelligence through commonsense policies that promote trust and accountability.