Britain’s police watchdog is investigating a senior Derbyshire detective over allegation of gross misconduct linked to AI police use in investigation records, in what is believed to be the highest-ranking case of its kind to reach the British force’s oversight body, according to the Financial Times.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said Derbyshire Constabulary voluntarily referred the case on June 23, after an internal review found that a detective chief inspector had used AI to maintain “decision logs” – records that document the reasoning behind decisions made during a case and can be scrutinized in court.
“Derbyshire Constabulary made a voluntary conduct referral to us on 23 June following an internal review of an officer’s use of artificial intelligence and concerns it was not in line with guidance and conditions issued by the force,” the IOPC said.
It’s worth noting that as of time of writing, it is unclear which AI tool was used, or the extent of its use.
Questions Over Evidence and Accountability
These records explain investigative decisions and may be examined by defense lawyers, making technology in law enforcement sensitive in active cases.
“The officer in question has been served notice that they are under investigation for alleged gross misconduct.”
The case has increased concern about fabricating evidence, because AI can generate information that sounds convincing even when it is wrong. A separate Derbyshire officer is facing a criminal investigation over claims that AI was used to create evidential material.
“A criminal investigation has been launched into an allegation of perverting the course of justice after the alleged use of AI systems by an officer to create evidential material in a number of cases,” the force said.
Meanwhile, the CPS said they are working with Derbyshire Police as they conduct enquiries into the alleged use of AI by an officer. The allegations have placed AI police systems under closer attention because court evidence must remain accurate.
Police Seek Benefits While Controlling AI Risks
The case follows a separate, ongoing, criminal investigation opened by the Derbyshire Constabulary in June into a more junior detective accused of preventing the course of justice by using AI chatbots to prepare materials for court proceedings.
According to the Financial Times, that officer has been removed from duty pending the outcome of the case.
Concerns about fabricating evidence are not limited to Derbyshire. In Gloucestershire Constabulary, a civilian staff member was dismissed for repeatedly bypassing safeguards to use a commercial AI chatbot for police work on numerous occasions. The story was the first instance of a UK police worker being fired over such conduct.
The debate over technology and law enforcement now centers on using AI without weakening public trust or fair investigations.
“There has not been any stop on officers and staff using AI. However, we continue to keep our use of AI under constant review,” Derbyshire police said.
Some tools redact documents, but officers must check results manually before court use. That is why police new technology needs human review.
Questions about fabricating evidence are likely to remain central as more forces test automated tools in sensitive work. West Midlands Police also faced criticism after false AI-generated information influenced advice about a football match, adding to concerns over police AI misconduct.
The government has launched AI police, a national center responsible for AI in policing.
“Crime and technology are evolving rapidly. Policing must keep pace by adopting AI responsibly to catch criminals and keep people safe,” Interim director Alex Murray said.
The center aims to support safer technology in law enforcement and reduce routine work.
For AI police tools, the bigger test may not be whether the technology can make policing faster, but whether forces can prove that decisions supported by AI remain accurate, explainable and open to challenge.
The Derbyshire investigations also bring the risk of fabrication of evidence into sharper focus. Even when false material is created by mistake, the consequences can be serious if it reaches a courtroom or influences an investigation.
As police and technology become more closely connected, forces may have to decide where AI should assist officers and where human judgment must remain in full control. That line could become harder to draw as the systems become more capable.
The debate around AI police use is therefore likely to move beyond efficiency. Questions over responsibility will become just as important: if an AI system produces false information, should responsibility sit with the officer, the force, the technology provider, or all three?
Ultimately, another case involving AI police may strengthen demands for clearer national rules. The challenge for policing will be to gain the benefits of AI without allowing speed and convenience to come at the cost of evidence, accountability, and public trust.
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