Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley has set out plans to significantly expand the London force's use of artificial intelligence, live facial recognition, and drones. Speaking on 24 June, he announced a major roll-out of drone operations, static live facial recognition cameras across central London, and increased use of artificial intelligence to analyse video evidence in criminal investigations. Rowley warned against passing police-specific technology legislation, arguing that the legislative process is too slow and would cause policing to fail against increasingly organised, networked, and digital criminals. Criticising campaign groups for slowing progress with calls for new laws, he stated that the police already operate within a robust framework overseen by at least five regulators and commissioners. He also called for changes to public sector procurement to allow police forces to leverage new capabilities at a much faster rate.

Background: Facial Recognition in Policing

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