The Westbrook Police Department in Maine has issued an apology after it was revealed that an AI-generated photo of drug evidence was shared on social media. The department explained that an officer used a photo editing app to add the department’s patch to the evidence photo, which unintentionally altered the image. The altered image, which included gibberish text and hazy edges, drew criticism from social media users. The department initially denied using AI to generate the photo before confirming its use of the AI chatbot ChatGPT. They shared a side-by-side comparison of the original and edited images in their public apology. The department emphasized that their intention was never to alter the image of the evidence.
According to reports from Boston.com, the photo was snapped by an officer involved in the arrests and was sent to a Facebook administrator. The department admitted that the photo editing app added the patch, which also altered the packaging and some of the other attributes on the photograph. None of the department’s members caught the change or realized it. The incident has sparked discussions about the use of AI and photo editing tools in law enforcement. The department’s decision to apologize highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in policing.
As the incident unfolds, the department is expected to take steps to prevent similar incidents in the future. The use of AI in law enforcement raises questions about the reliability of digital evidence and the potential for misuse of such technologies. The Westbrook Police Department’s actions serve as a reminder of the need for proper training and oversight when using AI and photo editing tools. The department has now taken steps to address the issue and has committed to being more transparent in its use of technology in the future.