Concerns Rise Over AI-Generated Use-of-Force Reports in Law Enforcement

Wed Nov 26 2025 13:58:05 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A federal judge raises alarms about immigration agents using AI for drafting use-of-force reports, highlighting the risks of inaccuracies and the potential erosion of public trust in policing.

A court opinion by U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis revealed concerns about the use of AI, specifically ChatGPT, by immigration agents to draft reports on the use of force during immigration actions. The reliance on AI for such critical reports raises questions about accuracy and the agents' credibility, with experts warning that it may misrepresent actual events and violate privacy protocols. As police departments struggle to adopt AI technology responsibly, there is an urgent need for clear guidelines and ethical standards in their application.

In a recent ruling, U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis sounded the alarm on immigration agents leveraging artificial intelligence to draft use-of-force reports, ending with serious implications for accuracy and public confidence in law enforcement practices. The 223-page opinion included a two-sentence footnote addressing concerns regarding the integration of technologies like ChatGPT in sensitive law enforcement tasks.

Judge Ellis noted that such AI-generated reports could undermine the credibility of law enforcement agents involved in immigration enforcement, particularly in the Chicago area amidst protests against immigration crackdowns. The judge highlighted discrepancies between law enforcement reports and actual body camera footage, prompting discussions on the ethical and procedural pitfalls of using AI in high-stakes scenarios.

Expert opinions have emerged, cautioning against AI’s use in capturing the nuanced, subjective experiences of officers required in justifying use-of-force incidents. Ian Adams, assistant criminology professor, emphasized that this practice could backfire, leading to fabricated or misleading narratives, which greatly disturb existing protocols for writing police reviews.

Moreover, there are significant privacy concerns as officers might inadvertently expose sensitive images and data to the public domain when utilizing AI tools. Law enforcement agencies face mounting pressure to establish clear guidelines for integrating AI into operations while maintaining accountability and ethical standards.

The continuing discussion around how AI and traditional policing methods can coexist highlights the urgent need for the adoption of comprehensive policies that protect both public safety and individuals' rights.