AI Body cameras could bring language translation and real-time streaming to Norwich officers. (Photo by Shawn Magrath)

NORWICH – The Norwich Police Department is chasing a state-sponsored grant that will fund artificial intelligence body cameras for its patrol officers.

Police Chief Matthew Roberts says the department has applied for a $692,000 grant for Axon Body 4 cameras, which he says will enhance public safety while also helping the department run more efficiently.

Axon is a leading American public safety technology company specializing in hardware, software, and AI-powered public safety tools.

The grant, Roberts explained at a meeting of the Norwich Joint Committee earlier this month, will cover the expense of hardware and supporting software to run the AI-powered cameras, which will provide his department with benefits including visual recordings, language translation, and better field communications with off-site officers.

“There are a lot more Spanish-speaking people nowadays. There’s a button on the body cam. You click the body cam, it recognizes what language you’re speaking, then they can translate for you off the body cam,” he explained. “And if someone asks for a supervisor, they can log in and see everything in real time.”

The software will also generate police reports, which Roberts said would need to be reviewed by the reporting officer.

“The officers would go through and redact whatever they need to, add whatever they need to,” he said, noting that he could find workarounds that ensure his officers are fulfilling their obligations on written reports. “I don’t want them to get used to AI doing everything for them.”

Roberts also said the Norwich Police Department has received support from U.S. Congressman Josh Riley, who penned a letter in support of a grant for the department.

The grant applied for comes by way of the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services’ Law Enforcement Technology (LETECH) Grant Program, which funds a variety of equipment and technology, including acoustic gunshot detection systems, drones, counter-drone mitigation systems, 3-D crime scene laser scanners, trauma kits, automated external defibrillators, body-worn cameras and vests, traffic and safety equipment, lighting, specialized records management systems, and patrol vehicle and officer equipment.

In July, New York State invested an additional $100 million in law enforcement technology and equipment. As part of this investment, $75 million is available for police departments and sheriffs’ offices to improve technology and modernize equipment.

Roberts said his department will seek additional grant money in the near future to fund other needs such as surveillance cameras, speed trailers, and other tech updates.