The Effective, Responsible and Safe Use of AI in Criminal Justice

The rapid development of artificial intelligence is nothing short of breathtaking. It may very well prove to be the most disruptive technology in the human experience. AI advances are far outpacing our collective understanding of its implications. The private sector “AI Race” means all police technology vendors are trying to figure out how AI fits in the products they sell to law enforcement. And these efforts pale in comparison to the integration of AI in literally every sector of our world.

So, what could possibly go wrong in criminal justice when we use AI without understanding how it works, without policy regulating its use, or fully understanding the potential for harm to the very communities criminal justice is sworn to protect?

In this webinar, you will gain an appreciation for:

a basic understanding of how the most common AI tools work (e.g. ChatGPT, LPR, data analysis, etc.);
the fundamentals in good AI police policy development;
the wide variety of use cases AI potentially benefits;
the implications and meaning of the phrase “safe and responsible use of police AI;”
how implementing AI tools can either enhance the public’s trust and confidence in the police or damage it; and,
importance of key stakeholder engagement from beginning to end of the AI acquisition process.

Speaker and Presenter Information

Dr. Joseph Lestrange currently works as a global strategic consultant specializing in homeland security, intelligence, law enforcement, public safety matters, and national security matters. His most recent efforts have been developing police training and advising technology clients in the responsible development of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning solutions for law enforcement and public safety organizations, that are in alignment with both legal and privacy regulations, as well as internal agency policies, procedures, and rules of criminal evidence. He was recently recognized for these efforts and his distinguished federal career at the prestigious Global Law 2.0 Conference in Las Vegas where he was awarded the Outstanding Leadership Award July 2023.

Dr. Lestrange is also a part-time executive recruiter and leadership coach for a California based search firm that specializes in the placement of public safety and police leadership executives. He has successfully recruited, interviewed, coached, and placed police chiefs in Ohio, Missouri, and Colorado.

After serving over three decades as a commissioned federal law enforcement officer, serving in multiple international, national, regional, and local leadership roles, he retired in June 2022 as the Chief of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Headquarters, Public Safety & National Security Division. Dr. Lestrange earned his PhD in Global Leadership and Organizational Management from Indiana Tech, a Master of Public Administration in Operations Management from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Hofstra University.

Jonathan R. Parham is a distinguished professional in the field of law enforcement and public administration, bringing more than three decades of experience to the table. His career has been marked by a commitment to innovation, leadership, and community engagement.

Jonathan served as the Police Chief (retired) of the Linden Police Department, in Linden, New Jersey, where he was known for his strategic leadership and operational efficiency. He successfully managed a large team of personnel and oversaw significant budgets, demonstrating exceptional administrative and managerial skills. During his career in Linden, Jonathan served as the SWAT Commander, Intelligence Bureau Commander, and Support Services Commander.

In addition to his role as Chief of Police in Linden, Jonathan has held several key positions, including being the Police Director of the Rahway Police Department, Director of County-Wide Police Policy Planning & Training at the Union County Prosecutors Office, and an Undersheriff at the Union County Sheriffs Office. His experience in training coordination and professional standards has been a cornerstone of his career.

Jonathan holds a Master of Administrative Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University, along with numerous certifications in public management, emergency response, and law enforcement training.

Chief Philip Lukens led the Alliance Police Department in Nebraska from December 2020 to September 2023, after a distinguished career in law enforcement in Colorado. He holds a Bachelor of Science and has completed several prestigious leadership and management programs, such as Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command, PERFs Senior Management Institute for Police, and IACPs Leadership in Police Organization.

As a visionary leader, Chief Lukens has implemented cutting-edge technology to enhance police operations and improve public safety. He has leveraged artificial intelligence to streamline intelligence and administrative tasks, freeing up staff time for human and victim-centered policing. He has also utilized sentiment analysis and efficiency analysis of body camera footage and transcriptions, to monitor and improve officer performance and accountability. Moreover, he has applied manual and digital algorithms for crime prevention and hot spot analysis, to optimize patrol methods and resource allocation in the small city.

Chief Jim Bueermann (ret.) is the founder and president of the Future Policing Institute and its Center on Policing and Artificial Intelligence. He has spent more than 45 years in policing. From 1978 to 2011 he was a member of the Redlands (CA) Police Department, where he served in every unit within the department. During his last 13 years with the department, he was the Chief of Police and Director of Housing, Recreation and Senior Services. He directed the implementation and strategic development of community policing in Redlands which included directing the consolidation of Housing, Recreation, and Senior Services into the police department as a risk and preventative factor strategy for reducing crime and adolescent problem behavior. In 2000, this effort was recognized by the Innovations in American Government Award program (Harvards Kennedy School) as one of the 25 most innovative governmental programs in America.