Derbyshire senior detective faces IOPC probe over alleged AI misuse

The Independent Office for Police Conduct has opened a gross-misconduct investigation into a Derbyshire detective chief inspector after the force referred concerns about the officer’s use of artificial intelligence.

After an internal audit flagged possible policy violations, Derbyshire Police sent a voluntary conduct referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct on 23 June concerning a detective chief inspector’s use of artificial intelligence. The IOPC has now launched a gross-misconduct investigation, informing the officer that they are under formal scrutiny. This inquiry arrives shortly after the force began a separate criminal investigation into a different detective accused of creating evidential material with AI, leading to his removal from front-line duties.

Additionally, a staff member at Gloucestershire Police was dismissed for repeatedly bypassing safeguards to employ an AI chatbot for police work. Both cases underscore heightened concerns about AI’s role in law-enforcement processes and the need for strict compliance with established guidelines. The IOPC will conduct the probe independently, and Derbyshire Police has said it cannot provide further comment at this stage.