A collaborative CPKN pilot evaluation highlights both the promise and the challenges of AI on the frontlines.
By Natalie Fournier
As we continue to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) in our personal and professional lives, it’s no wonder that police organizations would also want to harness this technology in their everyday tasks. AI is increasingly being explored as a potential support tool in police services across Canada and to better understand its value, the Canadian Police Knowledge Network (CPKN) was asked to evaluate just how GovAI-enabled tools could support frontline officers through its research arm.
The evaluation project was initiated by the Vancouver Police Department. They collaborated with CPKN to examine how GovAI digital tools could assist with researching, drafting and summarizing information. The tools would also be used to access operational reference materials such as policies, procedures, and legal resources. GovAI, short for Government AI, is an AI‑powered platform that helps government staff support decision‑making and streamline operations across departments.
“CPKN was a great partner for this,” says Betty Froese, Director, Learning and Development Services, Vancouver Police Department. “It’s Department of Innovation was able to provide professional research with a quick turnaround. It was important for us to have data from an unbiased source, so we knew we could trust the results.”
The four-week pilot focused on three key areas: usefulness of GovAI tools, onboarding and facilitation of GovAI, and pilot participant feedback on the integration of AI in policing. The GovAI tools received overall positive feedback, proving a strong interest and receptiveness to use the technology on the frontlines.
“Research into AI applications has the potential to significantly support police services,” says Chantelle Ivanski, Director, Department of Innovation, CPKN. “By improving access to information, reducing administrative workload, and enabling better decision‑making under pressure, it can allow officers to be efficient and focus more time on community safety.”
The officers involved in the pilot reported operational benefits of using the AI-enabled tools, sighting quicker access to information, as well as improved navigation compared to traditional manual searches.
But there were also drawbacks. AI overall is not yet fully developed, and reliability of data on the frontlines is of the utmost importance. Despite some technical challenges users experienced during this project, participants largely agreed that the tools offered meaningful value, with many expressing support for continued development and refinement.
“AI tools have the potential to elevate police organizations when adopted thoughtfully and ethically, and remain aligned with operational realities,” says Ivanski. “Research driven adoption of these technologies will play a critical role in shaping the future of policing.”
So, if officers were given the choice of implementing GovAI into their day-to-day or use traditional search methods, what would they choose? A blended approach would be the preferred option. Eighty percent of participants agree the AI-supported tools are valuable, but feedback suggests it can’t be a standalone resource. Participants want to ensure there are options to adjust to their comfort levels when it comes to technology and recognize the need for thoughtful governance and clear guidance as AI adoption expands.
The findings of this pilot project reinforce AI’s potential to play a meaningful supportive role in modern policing. With continued refinement, improved system performance, and integration into core operational workflows, these tools could contribute to stronger, more efficient, and more resilient policing environments.
For more information on how the CPKN research arm can benefit your service or organization, visit the CPKN Research Partnerships page.
