Machine Learning Algorithms & Police Decision-Making

In the UK, the use of machine learning algorithms to support police decision-making is in its infancy, and there is a lack of research examining how the use of an algorithm influences officers’ decision-making in practice. 

Moreover, there is a limited evidence base on the efficacy and efficiency of different systems, their cost-effectiveness, their impact on individual rights and the extent to which they serve valid policing aims. Limited, localised trials should be conducted and comprehensively evaluated to build such an evidence base before moving ahead with large-scale deployment of such tools. 

There is a lack of clear guidance and codes of practice outlining appropriate constraints governing how police forces should trial predictive algorithmic tools. 

This should be addressed as a matter of urgency to enable police forces to trial new technologies in accordance with data protection legislation, respect for human rights and administrative law principles.
While machine learning algorithms are currently being used for limited policing purposes, there is potential for the technology to do much more, and the lack of a regulatory and governance framework for its use is concerning. 
A new regulatory framework is needed, one which establishes minimum standards around issues such as transparency and intelligibility, the potential effects of the incorporation of an algorithm into a decision-making process, and relevant ethical issues. 

A formalised system of scrutiny and oversight, including an inspection role for Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services, is necessary to ensure adherence to this new framework. There are various issues concerning procurement contracts between the police and private sector suppliers of predictive policing technology. 

It is suggested that all relevant public procurement agreements for machine learning algorithms should explicitly require that it be possible to retroactively deconstruct the algorithm in order to assess which factors influenced the model’s predictions, along with a requirement for the supplier to be able to provide an expert witness who can provide details concerning the algorithm’s operation if needed, for instance in an evidential context. 

The legal and ethical issues concerning the use of machine learning algorithms for policing are complex and highly context-dependent. Machine learning algorithms require constant attention and vigilance to ensure that the predictions they provide are as accurate and as unbiased as possible, and that any irregularities are addressed as soon as they arise. 

For this reason, multi-disciplinary local ethics boards should be established to scrutinise and assess each case of algorithmic implementation for policing. Such boards should consist of a combination of practitioners and academics, and should provide recommendations to individual forces for practice, strategy and policy decisions relating to the use of algorithms. 
A collaborative, multidisciplinary approach is needed to address the complex issues raised by the use of machine learning algorithms for decision-making. 

At the national level, a working group consisting of members from the fields of policing, computer science, law and ethics should be tasked with sharing ‘real-world’ innovations and challenges, examining operational requirements for new algorithms within policing, with a view to setting out the relevant parameters and requirements, and considering the appropriate selection of training and test data. 

Officers may need to be equipped with a new skill set to effectively understand, deploy and interpret algorithmic tools in combination with their professional expertise, and to make assessments of risk using an algorithmically generated forecast. 

It is essential that the officers using the technology are sufficiently trained to do so in a fair and responsible way and are able to act upon algorithmic predictions in a way that maintains their discretion and professional judgement.

RUSI

You Might Also Read:

Smartphones Are Working For Dutch Police:

Digital Shock: Cybercrime & The Future Of Policing. Part 3: (£)

 

« SMEs Risk Costs Of Up To $2.5m Following A Breach
How To Hack the Hackers: The Human Side Of Cybercrime »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

BackupVault

BackupVault

BackupVault is a leading provider of automatic cloud backup and critical data protection against ransomware, insider attacks and hackers for businesses and organisations worldwide.

The PC Support Group

The PC Support Group

A partnership with The PC Support Group delivers improved productivity, reduced costs and protects your business through exceptional IT, telecoms and cybersecurity services.

CSI Consulting Services

CSI Consulting Services

Get Advice From The Experts: * Training * Penetration Testing * Data Governance * GDPR Compliance. Connecting you to the best in the business.

Resecurity, Inc.

Resecurity, Inc.

Resecurity is a cybersecurity company that delivers a unified platform for endpoint protection, risk management, and cyber threat intelligence.

Alvacomm

Alvacomm

Alvacomm offers holistic VIP cybersecurity services, providing comprehensive protection against cyber threats. Our solutions include risk assessment, threat detection, incident response.

Lastline

Lastline

Lastline is the leader in advanced malware protection.

Junglemap

Junglemap

Junglemap provide nanolearning training courses on ransomware, information security and GDPR.

Enosys Solutions

Enosys Solutions

Enosys Solutions is an IT security specialist with a skilled professional services team and 24x7 security operations centre servicing corporate and public sector organisations across Australia.

SecuLution

SecuLution

SecuLution is an Antivirus product using Application Whitelisting which offers much more protection than Virus Scanners ever can.

Segusoft

Segusoft

With its encryption platform SEGULINK, Segusoft provides standard software for companies to securely transfer files and messages.

CSIRT-CY

CSIRT-CY

CSIRT-CY is the National Computer Security Incident Response Team for Cyprus.

Keepnet Labs

Keepnet Labs

Keepnet Labs is a phishing defence platform that provides a holistic approach to people, processes and technology to reduce breaches and data loss and presents anti-phishing solutions.

Dutch Accreditation Council (RvA)

Dutch Accreditation Council (RvA)

RvA is the national accreditation body for the Netherlands. The directory of members provides details of organisations offering certification services for ISO 27001.

apiiro

apiiro

apiiro invented the industry-first Code Risk Platform™ that uses developers and code behavior analysis to accelerate delivery and automatically remediate product risk.

Content+Cloud

Content+Cloud

Content+Cloud is a leading technology services business and Managed Services Provider (MSP) with a genuine passion for helping your organisation to succeed, whatever your ambitions.

Ross & Baruzzini

Ross & Baruzzini

Ross & Baruzzini delivers integrated technology, consulting, and engineering solutions for safe, sustainable, and resilient facilities.

Data#3 Limited (DTL)

Data#3 Limited (DTL)

Data#3 Limited (DTL) is a leading Australian IT services and solutions provider.

ServerScan

ServerScan

ServerScan specializes in providing server scanning & compliance services to organizations of all types and sizes.

PKI Solutions

PKI Solutions

PKI Solutions offers Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) products, services, and training to help ensure the security of organizations now and in the future.

CLEAR

CLEAR

With more than 17 million members and a growing network of partners across the world, CLEAR's identity platform is transforming the way people live, work, and travel.

Systems Engineering

Systems Engineering

Systems Engineering is a SOC 2, Type 2-certified IT strategy and managed technology services provider.