Starting June 1, the Calgary police are taking steps to modernize their operations, including the addition of officer-worn language-translating devices.
Calgary Police Service (CPS) Chief Katie McLellan made the announcement at the May 27 regular meeting of the Calgary Police Commission, where she described how the service is integrating AI technology into its daily work.
McLellan said that this includes an AI-powered transcription tool, which will be added as a feature to their pre-existing body-worn cameras.
She explained that the devices have been programmed to translate, detect, and interpret more than 60 languages in real time. They’re triggered by the officer, who turns the device on and off, and doesn’t have to select the language they want, as the device can figure it out on its own.
Additionally, McLellan said the gadgets can switch languages mid-conversation, making them highly adaptable to situations where more than one non-English-speaking person may be engaging with an officer.
Commission chair Amtul Siddiqui emphasized that advancements like this will help ensure the city and its first responders adequately engage with its diverse population.
“I think anything that we can do from a service or commission level to be more inclusive in the city that we serve, that’s fantastic,” she said.
“This is going to be so great, not only for community members, but actually for officers as well, because it provides that back-and-forth communication and evidence.”
Deputy Chief Cory Dayley said the device will cost several hundred thousand dollars and will be paid for as part of the CPS’s five-year contract with the same company that develops its body cameras.
One of the many ways CPS are technologically advancing, Chief says
McLellan said this is just one example of how the Calgary police will incorporate new technology into the service, in addition to the efforts that they have already been making.
“We’ve started using AI and advanced analytics in very practical ways, helping members review large volumes of evidence, prioritize files and move cases forward faster in areas like domestic violence and homicide, where time really matters,” she said.
“Our leaders now have better real-time visibility into what’s happening across the service, which means we can shift resources more quickly when and where they’re needed.”
From data analysis to evidence review and resource deployment, McLellan said they will continue to improve their productivity where needed in the future, especially in performance tracking.
“We’ll keep modernizing service delivery through things like call diversion, virtual policing options, and better online reporting, so Calgarians can access our services that make sense for them,” she said.
“We’ll stay focused on workforce optimization, making sure we have the right people in the right roles supported in the right ways.”
