Phoenix is testing a new way to speed up police paperwork. The Phoenix police AI incident report pilot uses Axon’s Draft One to turn body camera audio into draft reports. The city will study if this cuts report time, reduces overtime, and gets officers back on calls faster during a free 90-day trial. Phoenix leaders want officers spending more time with the public and less time behind a desk. A 90-day test now underway aims to do that. Axon Draft One listens to clear narration captured on body cameras and builds a first draft of the incident report. Officers then edit and approve it before filing. City officials will review data at year’s end to decide what comes next.

Inside the Phoenix police AI incident report pilot

The Phoenix Police Department started the pilot in early October at select bureaus within the Mountain View Precinct. The Phoenix police AI incident report pilot runs through Dec. 31 and is free during this period. City staff will track call volume, report-writing time, and overtime to see if the tool makes a real difference.

How the tool works: From body camera audio to draft reports

Step-by-step process

Officers narrate what they see and hear during a call, while wearing their body cameras.

Axon Draft One uses that audio to build a draft incident report.

The officer reviews the draft, corrects details, and finalizes the report.

This workflow helps move key facts from the scene into a usable format faster. It also builds a habit of clear narration, which can help with later recall.

Why Phoenix is testing Axon’s tool

City leaders say officers spend many hours on reports. That time adds up and can keep units off the street. If the tool works, the department could:

Answer more calls without adding shifts

Cut overtime from long report-writing sessions

Shorten the time between an incident and the final report

According to Axon, agencies using Draft One can cut report-writing time by about half. Phoenix will use the pilot to see if that claim holds true locally.

Training, oversight, and accuracy checks

Clear narration is key

Officers in the pilot received training to speak their observations out loud during calls. The AI depends on that narration. Strong, simple statements help the system draft reports that are easier to review.

Human review remains required

Officers must verify and correct every draft before submission. The county attorney relies on reports to file charges and build cases, so accuracy matters. The process helps ensure the AI is a starting point, not the final word.

What success looks like after 90 days

Phoenix will evaluate the pilot with data. Leaders plan to look at:

Average time to complete a report, by call type

Change in calls handled per shift

Change in overtime linked to reports

Officer feedback on workload and stress

Error rates found during supervisor review

If results are positive, the city could expand the Phoenix police AI incident report pilot beyond the Mountain View Precinct and consider a longer-term contract.

Benefits the city hopes to see

Faster paperwork and more time for service

Faster drafts mean officers can return to patrol sooner. That could raise response capacity without adding staff.

Cleaner reports and better case prep

Structured drafts may help officers capture key facts in the right order. Combined with human review, this can improve clarity for prosecutors.

Officer wellness

Less time typing after a long shift can ease fatigue. Clear tools and training also build confidence during high-stress calls.

Early questions to watch

Consistency across call types

Simple calls may benefit most. The city will want to see how the tool handles complex scenes that involve multiple people, locations, or timelines.

Narration quality

Results depend on what officers say on scene. Training and practice will shape the quality of drafts.

Measuring real-world impact

Leaders will compare saved minutes on reports against gains in calls answered. They will also check if overtime actually drops.

What this means for community members

If the pilot works, residents could see faster response and more officer visibility. Reports might be finished sooner, which can help victims and witnesses who need updates. Most of the change happens behind the scenes, but the goal is simple: more time serving the public, less time typing.

The road ahead

The Phoenix police AI incident report pilot is still in its early days. The department will collect and study data through the end of the year, then decide on next steps. Supporters hope this proves that smart tools can save time without lowering standards, and that careful training and review can keep reports accurate and useful. In short, the Phoenix police AI incident report pilot will rise or fall on results: faster, accurate reports that put officers back on the street to help more people.

(Source: https://ktar.com/arizona-technology-news/phoenix-police-reports-ai-tool)

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