By Trend News Line 2024-06-28 18:53:47.
Detroit Police Department Implements New Policies on Facial Recognition Technology
In a groundbreaking move, the Detroit Police Department has revised its policies regarding the use of facial recognition technology following a federal lawsuit filed by Robert Williams, who was wrongfully arrested for theft in 2020. The settlement reached between Williams and the city of Detroit has led to significant changes in how the department utilizes this controversial technology.
**Background of the Lawsuit**
The lawsuit stemmed from an incident in October 2018, when Williams was falsely identified as the perpetrator of a theft from a Shinola store. Despite the grainy and poorly lit footage used for facial recognition, Williams was arrested in January 2020 based on the technology’s results. He was held for 30 hours before being released on a personal bond, causing immense distress to him and his family.
**Policy Changes Implemented**
As part of the settlement, the Detroit Police Department has agreed to several key policy changes:
– Arrests cannot be made based solely on facial recognition results or photo lineups stemming from facial recognition searches.
– Lineups based solely on facial recognition must be supported by independent, reliable evidence linking the suspect to a crime.
– Police must disclose the limitations and flaws of facial recognition technology when making an arrest.
– Training on facial recognition technology must include the risks and disproportionate misidentification rates of people of color.
– An audit of all cases since 2017 where facial recognition technology was used to obtain an arrest warrant must be conducted.
These policies will be enforced by a federal court for the next four years, ensuring accountability and transparency in the department’s use of facial recognition technology.
**Impact on Robert Williams**
At a press conference, Williams shared how the wrongful arrest had upended his life and caused significant emotional distress to his family. He emphasized the importance of holding law enforcement agencies accountable for the misuse of facial recognition technology, highlighting that what happened to him could happen to anyone.
**National Example of Best Practices**
The ACLU of Michigan, which represented Williams in the lawsuit, hailed the policy changes as a national example of best practices in the use of facial recognition technology. Detroit Police Department expressed satisfaction with the revised policies, emphasizing their commitment to fair, equitable, and constitutional policing.
**Continued Strides Towards Justice**
The revisions in facial recognition policies by the Detroit Police Department come in the wake of similar incidents, such as the wrongful arrest of a pregnant woman in 2023. Chief James White has led efforts to strengthen photo lineup procedures and technology policies to prevent future wrongful arrests based on faulty facial recognition matches.
**Moving Forward**
The implementation of these new policies marks a significant step towards ensuring accountability and transparency in law enforcement practices. By learning from past mistakes and taking proactive measures, the Detroit Police Department is setting a precedent for other agencies to follow in the responsible use of facial recognition technology.
In conclusion, the revisions made by the Detroit Police Department serve as a testament to the power of advocacy and the importance of holding law enforcement accountable for the ethical use of technology in crime-solving..
– Man wrongfully arrested facial recognition tech settles lawsuit
– Wrongfully arrested facial recognition technology settles lawsuit.