Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 65
65
Accepted
Paragraph: 471
Robust processes are essential for new policing technologies to prevent racial disparities.
Conclusion
As new policing technologies, tools and powers are developed, it is important that there are robust and credible processes in place both to guard against the risk of importing or exacerbating racial disparities and to maximise their potential to demonstrate fairness and build consent in the public.
Government Response Summary
The government commits to supporting the development of a national ethics framework for policing, which will underpin high-quality impact assessments for new technologies to ensure fair and proportionate use.
Paragraph Reference:
471
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Home Office continues to support the police to ensure they have the powers, tools and technology they need to support communities and tackle crime effectively. The public rightly expects the Government to support operational partners in making use of technology to tackle serious harm such as knife crime, rape and serious sexual assault, child sexual exploitation, terrorism, and other serious offences. The Home Office will therefore back and empower the police to use new technologies to tackle crime in a way that maintains public trust. As part of this commitment, it is vital that there are processes and governance in place to ensure that new technology is used fairly and proportionately. The Home Office supported the appointment of the National Policing Chief Scientific Advisor, Professor Paul Taylor (CSA), who took up post in June 2021, because ensuring that all technological developments in policing are based on good evidence and the best understanding of science is crucial. Professor Taylor chairs a police science and technology investment board, which demands rigorous quality assurance of all proposals. Professor Taylor is also represented on the relevant NPCC committees and is developing national research and development guidance with the College. The Home Office also supports the adoption of artificial intelligence procurement guidance produced by the Government Office for Artificial Intelligence and, more broadly, the principles of open science. Inclusive Britain also sets out a series of concrete actions across Government and the wider sector to harness Artificial Intelligence for an inclusive future. The Home Office will work with the NPCC, the College and the police to support the development of a national ethics framework for policing. The Home Office expects this framework to underpin the need for high-quality impact assessments and be applied to all new applications of technology and data processing intended to support operational decisions that have significant implications for individuals. The way in which people lead their lives is becoming increasingly digital and this is changing society, criminality, and the communities policing serves. The Government will support innovation to confront ever more sophisticated criminality, protect people from harm and enable police to work effectively and efficiently in a rapidly changing world.