AI, Facial Recognition and Digital Evidence Sharing: Why Police Must Embrace New Tech

Scotland's Chief Constable faces significant challenges as she enters her third year in office. While Police Scotland has achieved notable operational successes — including record performance in serious and organised crime investigations and consistent homicide resolution — structural problems threaten the force's effectiveness.

Funding has been reduced to pre-2013 levels, resulting in the lowest police headcount since the national force was established. New demands from cyber crime, historical sexual crime investigations, and counter-terrorism efforts have diverted officers from community policing. Additionally, police stations require £500 million in infrastructure repairs, and officers are pursuing overdue pay settlements.

The justice system compounds these challenges. Courts face severe backlogs, with over 500 police officers attending court daily, most without providing testimony. This diverts critical resources from frontline duties.

Chief Farrell has proposed an innovation strategy. A government-funded digital evidence-sharing system, proven effective in trials, will reduce court-related administrative burden. The Chief Constable also advocates for artificial intelligence adoption, including facial recognition technology, implemented with appropriate safeguards.

Given permanently reduced public funding, modernisation through technology represents the only viable path forward. No IT systems will ever replace boots on the ground — yet technology can bridge the widening gap between demand and available resources.