LAW ENFORCEMENT TECHNOLOGY OVERSIGHT RESPONSIBILITIES IN OUR WORLD OF EMERGING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS

July 31, 2026 - 00:22

As Rockland County District Attorney, I believe public safety depends on two things: effective law enforcement and public trust. We cannot have one without the other.

Rockland law enforcement agencies have at their disposal powerful technologies - school bus cameras, Sky Eye helicopters, surveillance systems, and emerging artificial intelligence tools. These resources help solve crimes, locate missing people, and deter dangerous activity. But with great capability comes great responsibility.

The public deserves to know how these tools are used. Who decides when a helicopter tracks a vehicle? What happens to footage from school bus cameras? Are AI systems being tested for bias or accuracy before deployment? These are not just technical questions. They are questions about civil rights and community confidence.

I am calling for clear oversight policies that balance innovation with accountability. Law enforcement must be transparent about what technology we use, why we use it, and how we protect privacy. We need independent review, regular audits, and clear rules that prevent misuse.

Emerging artificial intelligence can help analyze data faster and identify threats earlier. But without proper safeguards, it can also erode the very trust we work to build. Oversight is not a barrier to public safety. It is the foundation of it.

The goal is simple: keep Rockland safe while respecting the rights of every resident. That means embracing technology wisely, not blindly. And it means holding ourselves to the highest standard of accountability, because in a democracy, the people we serve deserve nothing less.