NZ Police has today released a specific policy around the
use of emergent technology.

The policy provides
guidance for staff who are given opportunities to use or
test new technology, and outlines the steps required to be
taken before new technology can be trialled or
introduced.

It also applies in situations where extra
functionality is being added to an existing
technology.

“The policy released today acknowledges
that emergent technologies can have an important part to
play in modern policing, and it supports staff to innovate
in their work,” says Police Commissioner Andrew
Coster.

“It also recognises that the use of emergent
technologies can have privacy, security and ethical
implications, which must be carefully weighed before such
technologies are trialled or introduced.”

The policy
applies to all Police staff, as well as contractors who are
providing services to Police.

‘Emergent
technologies’ is an umbrella term covering both ‘new
tech’ capabilities such as customer support apps, through
to more established technologies which allow for images to
be captured, such as CCTV. It also encompasses the use of
tools such as algorithms and artificial
intelligence.

Alongside the introduction of the
emergent technology policy, NZ Police last week signed up to
the Algorithm Charter for Aotearoa New
Zealand.

Launched in July 2020, the Charter outlines
standards for the use of algorithms by public
agencies.

“Like other emergent technologies,
algorithms can play an important role in enabling the work
of agencies, however New Zealanders need to have trust and
confidence they are being used safely and responsibly,”
says Commissioner Coster.

To support the new policy
and its commitments under the Charter, NZ Police intends to
assemble a panel of experts who can externally peer review
the use of emergent technologies, including algorithms that
support decision-making by Police staff.

Independent
peer review can help provide reassurance that privacy,
ethics and human rights considerations have been taken into
account.

The emergent technologies policy and signed
copy of the Algorithm Charter are both available on the NZ
Police website.

More information about the
Algorithm Charter is available at data.govt.nz.

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