Two police forces in the South are embarking on a trial of an innovative AI chatbot named ‘Bobbi.’ Designed to streamline public inquiries and ease pressure on human staff, the artificial intelligence system is programmed to answer frequently asked, non-emergency questions, aiming to free up valuable resources within their call centers.
Thames Valley Police and the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary have confirmed their status as the nation’s inaugural police forces to deploy the technology.
Chief Superintendent Simon Dodds was quick to clarify, asserting that the current focus is not on reducing personnel.
Control rooms serving Hampshire and Thames Valley face relentless pressure, frequently processing up to 5,000 interactions within a single 24-hour cycle. The monumental task, an official explained, lies in consistently prioritizing critical 999 emergency calls amidst a substantial influx of 101 non-urgent inquiries and digital submissions.
A new service, Bobbi, is set to launch, designed to significantly expand communication options. It will operate in conjunction with existing telephone lines, online submission forms, and physical front counters, thereby augmenting current customer access points.
The force disclosed that its development process involved comprehensive testing by over 200 individuals. Notably, this extensive evaluation included direct input from representatives of victim care groups.
Here are a few options, maintaining a clear, journalistic tone:
**Option 1 (Concise):**
The AI system has been developed using the identical information referenced by human call handlers and digital desk operators within two police forces.
**Option 2 (Slightly more elaborate):**
To ensure consistent operation, the artificial intelligence model was trained on the very same datasets consulted by human call handlers and digital support staff across two distinct police departments.
**Option 3 (Focus on knowledge base):**
The AI’s foundational knowledge directly mirrors the information resources accessed by human call handlers and digital desk operators employed by two police forces.
**Option 4 (Emphasis on direct mirroring):**
Its training curriculum directly reflecting human operations, the AI was developed using the exact same information referenced by call handlers and digital desk personnel across two police forces.
Should the virtual assistant, Bobbi, be unable to address a query, or if a user expresses a preference for human interaction, the conversation will be promptly transferred to a member of the police staff.
Chief Superintendent Simon Dodds has unveiled a new initiative, “Bobbi,” designed to significantly enhance police services within communities. Dodds explained that by providing immediate responses to common, non-emergency questions, Bobbi will streamline public access to information and support. He emphasized that this development aims to ensure “every member of the public can get the help they need, whenever they need it,” guaranteeing round-the-clock assistance for routine inquiries.
The “Bobbi” technology makes its official debut today, following an intensive period of development and rigorous testing. However, the system is fundamentally designed as a continuously evolving platform. Dedicated, experienced staff will maintain an ongoing role in its progression, tasked with continuous training, prompt bug resolution, ensuring strict adherence to current legislation and policies, and adapting its functionalities to align with the evolving needs of the communities it serves.
