Bexar County Sheriff's Office Deploys AI Translation on Body Cameras
Bexar County Sheriff's deputies now have real-time language translation built into their body-worn cameras, allowing them to communicate with non-English speakers without calling for backup. The Axon cameras include a feature called Translate Assistant that can identify and translate 60 languages.
Sheriff Javier Salazar said the tool addresses a longstanding operational problem. Normally, deputies needing to communicate across a language barrier must call another officer who speaks that language-a process that can take 20 to 30 minutes in unincorporated areas.
Deputies press a button on the camera to activate the feature. The system can either auto-detect the language being spoken or allow the deputy to manually select it. Once identified, the deputy speaks into the camera and receives an audible translation within seconds.
Patrol deputies received training first, since they conduct the most public interactions. Officers who graduated from recent training classes are now using the system on county roads and streets. All deputies will eventually receive training.
Practical Applications
The sheriff's office sees the tool as particularly valuable in sensitive situations. When deputies assist victims of human smuggling or trafficking, many individuals speak languages from Arab or Asian countries. The translation feature allows officers to communicate with victims and document what they've experienced.
The technology also addresses a basic operational need. "It's absolutely vital that we're able to communicate with as many people as effectively as we can," Salazar said.
Expanding AI Capabilities
The sheriff's office plans to expand AI use beyond translation. Deputies will soon use the cameras to assess property damage during incident reports-calculating the value of broken vehicle windows or lights automatically.
Officers can also reference department policies through the camera without consulting manuals, Salazar said.
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