It’s a nice day in the neighborhood—a resident taking a walk might hear dogs barking, birds chirping, and a new guardian quietly patrolling the streets. Meet the AI police vehicle. It is a technological masterpiece that has embedded itself into the community, diligently patrolling the streets in pursuit of safety and security.

Picture this: It’s a relaxing evening; community members are relaxing after their busy days, and the autonomous police vehicle (APV) is rolling through the neighborhood with its cutting-edge instruments and fine-tuned algorithms. Suddenly, an emergency call comes in. The APV puts on its lights and sirens and responds. Once at the call, APV assists with traffic control while the police officers detain and arrest the suspect. An officer asks the APV to assist in transporting the suspect, so the vehicle responds to the officer’s location. The officer places the suspect in the back of the vehicle ,and the APV transports the suspect to the jail, allowing all of the responding officers to stay at the scene to assist in the investigation. As the APV arrives at the jail, two corrections officers take custody of the suspect and the APV is quickly back out patrolling the community. It may sound like science fiction, but it is an unfolding reality as communities prepare for the era of AI-driven policing. APVs may not be patrolling U.S. streets yet, but other countries have already deployed them.

Acceptance of Autonomous Vehicles for Commercial and Police Use

In November 2023, California Governor Gavin Newsom visited a Tesla gigafactory in China to tour it and evaluate their driverless vehicles. Newsom stated,

I think we’re gonna look back in 20 to 30 years and go, why were we allowed to drive? And allow 30-plus-thousand Americans to die every single year in accidents? There’s a precision with the technology, but it has to be worked through. I just think it’s mesmerizing, the change that’s about to come.¹

The  Los Angeles Times article about the visit concluded, “Newsom made it clear that he’s committed to keeping California the global leader in the development of autonomous technology and said the state shouldn’t ‘cede the future’ to other countries or states.”² Politically, the discussion of autonomous vehicles (AVs) for police use has already begun.

Two countries have already implemented APVs in select cities. The technology is used in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and in Beijing in China. Dubai introduced APVs to its streets in October 2023, while Beijing started testing APVs on its streets in January 2024.³ In Dubai, APVs are electric and designed to patrol residential areas. According to tech industry professional Conal Cram, “If [the vehicle] spots something warranting further investigation, it swiftly sends an alert to the Command and Control Center at Dubai Police’s General Operations Department.”⁴ These vehicles are equipped with facial recognition technology, which will allow the technology to identify wanted suspects and communicate that information to  their Command and Control Center, which then dispatches police officers patrolling in the area.

“Ongoing communication and transparency will be key in shaping a positive narrative around the use of APVs”

In Beijing, APVs are being tested on the streets for basic patrol functions. According to the Xinhua News Agency (the official state news agency of the People’s Republic of China), “The duties being tested include patrolling, ensuring security for large-scale events, public announcements, issue warnings and emergency rescue work.”⁵ The concepts of both of these APV programs are similar. They both employ electric vehicles designed to patrol areas for an extended period. The Dubai APV has more impressive technology and would be more similar to what U.S. police agencies could replicate. It should be noted that both of these cities (Dubai and Beijing) implemented AVs for general use in their communities before they introduced APVs. Beijing started testing self-driving taxis in 2020, and Dubai started testing self-driving taxis in October 2023.⁶ However, the presence of AVs on roadways is also occurring in other countries including the United States.

U.S. states such as California, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, and Texas have enacted laws allowing AVs for commercial use.⁷ This is the first step in preparing the community to accept AVs; it will also allow for a smoother transition when APVs start patrolling the community. The City of Los Angeles recently approved Waymo to deploy Waymo One, its robotaxi, on city streets.⁸ Many people have already been introduced to the idea of AVs, and some have even taken a ride inside of them, experiences that serve as a kind of “exposure therapy” that gradually exposes people to technology in a safe and controlled environment. This approach might help people overcome their fear of technology, a necessary step toward the accepted use of AVs and APVs in the future.⁹ Interestingly, however, as AVs on the roadways become a more likely reality, people have become more reluctant to support their use.

Research has shown that the acceptance of AVs by the public varies with age, gender, education, and knowledge of AI. According to the Pew Research Center in 2023

• • Just over half (51 percent) of men 18–29 years of age would ride in an AV if they had the opportunity. This was the only category in this survey where the majority would want to ride in an AV.

• • The other demographic that was most accepting of AVs were individuals with post-graduate degrees—47 percent said they would want to ride in a driverless passenger vehicle.

• • The two groups that were least likely to ride in a driverless passenger vehicle were women (72 percent) and senior citizens (76 percent).¹⁰

In 2023, AAA conducted their annual automated vehicle survey of 949 adults, 18 years of age or older. Even as (or, perhaps, because) automakers are starting to put AVs on the road, the survey revealed people are more afraid of AVs now than in previous years. As noted in the report,

This year [2023] there was a major increase in drivers who are afraid, rising to 68% as compared to 55% in 2022. This is a 13% jump from last year’s survey and the biggest increase since 2020. AAA believes automakers must be diligent in creating an environment that promotes the use of more advanced vehicle technologies in a secure, reliable, and educational manner. This includes the consistent naming of vehicle systems available to consumers today.¹¹ 

The following are among the other reasons people are afraid of AVs:

• • Lack of trust in the technology and not wanting to give up driving¹²

• • Anxiety from not understanding how the technology works, concerns about unknown risks, and fear of unintended consequences like identity theft¹³

• • Confusion over what the current technology can and cannot do ¹⁴

• • Fear of AI-driven cars interacting with cyclists, pedestrians, and other vehicles; being the victim of hacking attempts; or experiencing systems’ failures¹⁵

Despite this reluctance to use, ride, or drive near AVs, automakers have already started integrating AI into their vehicles to serve one central objective: safety. They are using AI to create a safe environment for the driver and public. Toyota is designing vehicles with technology that enhances safety features and systems that can “identify and classify objects, anticipate potential risks, and contribute to the autonomy of driving through AI algorithms that analyze images from cameras and sensors.”¹⁶ To combat cybersecurity thefts, such as hacking or identity theft, the U.S. Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has created guidelines for automakers to show how cybersecurity should be treated like other safety threats when designing a car.¹⁷ The SAE has been around since 1904, and their main focus has been to educate professionals in the automotive and commercial vehicle industry.

Due to the myriad concerns and fears around AVs, it will be a challenge to get the public to accept them in their communities. Introducing these vehicles for commercial use, though, can help reduce concerns around AV safety and allow the police to adopt and use it to enhance public safety.

Police Perspectives on APV Use

In August 2023, a research panel of police professionals discussed how APVs could assist police officers on patrol and why police officers would accept APVs. The panel’s conclusion was that APVs could provide more and be a force multiplier. The following are some of the specific ways the panel noted that APVS could

• • Supplement patrol by patrolling communities for longer shifts

• • Assist by patrolling the community when officers are on a radio call or writing reports

• • Free officers for longer interaction with the community, while the APVs are patrolling the streets

• • Assist officers in locating criminals and providing video for investigative leads

• • Assist with street closures and perimeters, freeing officers to assist in other areas of the search or investigation

The panel was excited about what APVs could mean for police departments and their communities. Panelists emphasized that some of the critical issues facing the police could be fixed with the implementation of APVs, while also increasing the safety and security of communities..

Advantages of APVS for Community Safety and Security

With the implementation of APVs in the community, police would be able to enhance their surveillance capability with the technology that comes with these vehicles. APVs can have cameras with continuous recording capabilities. These cameras can provide real-time video so that, when an incident occurs, the video will be available to be viewed by police personnel to provide the appropriate resources needed for the situation.

APVs linked to real-time crime centers would be able to analyze and identify patterns, predict crime hot spots, and direct the vehicles to the areas they need to patrol. Each APV would be equipped with automated license plate readers and facial recognition technology, already used in traditional patrol vehicles, but usable only when there is an officer available to drive those vehicles. The APV could patrol the streets 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They don’t get tired, sick, or frustrated and will complete whatever assignments or directives they are given. A Chinese report on their APV noted, “This car can replace one to three police officers and perform a full-time, 24-hour patrol.”¹⁸ Using similar metrics, U.S. cities could see similar benefits as APVs patrol communities and use the technology these vehicles are equipped with to make communities safer. Of course, APV use will also provide part of the solution to what is perhaps the most critical issue facing the police—a lack  of officers.

Patrol staffing has become a big issue in the last five years for many U.S. police departments. According to the Public Policy Institute of California,

All of the state’s 10 largest police departments saw decreases in the number of patrol officers from a statewide peak in 2008. San Jose and Oakland Police Departments experienced the biggest drops (by 22% and 20% respectively), while Bakersfield and Los Angeles saw the smallest (by 15% and 5% respectively).¹⁹  

Due to the lack of officers, many divisions and positions have been left unfilled, some dedicated to community engagement. With the implementation of APVs, staffing issues could be minimized and patrol officers could be freed for community engagement and quality-of-life issues while APVs perform the more mundane routine patrol duties. This increased availability of officers will allow police departments to build a stronger relationship with their communities.

“APVs would know the quickest routes to a location, which streets are congested, and shortcuts to get there. APVs would also be programmed to know the high-crime areas and what time crimes are most likely to occur in those areas”

With the implementation of APVs, response times on patrol could improve immensely. APVs would know the quickest routes to a location, which streets are congested, and shortcuts to get there. APVs would also be programmed to know the high-crime areas and what time crimes are most likely to occur in those areas. They could even be able to assist in pursuits and be programmed to use legal intervention techniques to stop a fleeing vehicle.

In Dubai, new patrol cars are equipped with AI and emerging technologies. According to Fareed Al Jawhari, from Micropolis Robotics (developer of the AI patrol car),

One of the standout features is the advanced security camera offering 360-degree coverage, equipped with facial recognition technology. These AI-powered police patrol cars can identify and respond to suspicious behavior, ensuring a rapid and efficient response.²⁰ 

In addition, these AI-powered patrol cars can patrol their communities for 15 hours straight without needing to be recharged. Each vehicle also has the capability to have a ready-to-launch drone in the trunk of the vehicle.

Recommendations for the Acceptance of Autonomous vehicles

APVs are technologically feasible, and the police can take steps to transform that vision into reality. But, once they do, how can agencies enhance success in terms of community acceptance? Two panels of police professionals convened by the author in 2023 discussed the research and possible impacts of APVs. A number of considerations and recommendations for the introduction of APVs into the normal deployment of the police were discussed, including the following:

1. 1. Prioritize transparency in the deployment of AVs and APVs.

Police departments need to create an environment where the community’s perception of APVs is clear and positive. Police departments need to engage in open dialogue with the residents, establish clear guidelines for data privacy, and conduct regular community outreach programs that focus on informing the residents on the technological benefits of APVs.

2. 2. Create a social media plan.

The focus of the social media would be to educate the public on what an APV is, what it can do, and what technology it will be equipped with. It could address the benefits of autonomous police vehicles and how their use will increase the safety of the community. Social media can also be used to address concerns, provide accurate information, and emphasize the positive aspects to continue to shape the community’s perception.

3. 3. Proactively reach out to community members who are not tech savvy.

Police agencies should consider creating a community outreach team within the department whose purpose would be to attend meetings and events such as neighborhood watch, town hall meetings, and Coffee with a Cop. This team would bring APVs to the events and give the community members a quick overview of the vehicles, capabilities, and their ability to make the community safer.

4. 4. Establish a full-time IT program dedicated to the police department.

The IT team would focus on how to keep APV technology working, updated, and secure. They would also establish strict guidelines on data retention, access, and transparency and create firewalls and secure networks, so the technology does not get hacked and misused. If any issues with the technology arise, the IT team can immediately respond and address the issue.

Conclusion

By 2030, the integration of APVs in U.S. cities could enhance the perception of safety due to increased efficiency in patrol and quicker response times. In addition, public acceptance and trust in technology, as well as success in addressing concerns related to privacy and accountability, will heavily influence the overall impact. Ongoing communication and transparency will be key in shaping a positive narrative around the use of APVs.

Overall, police agencies need to take deliberate steps to make the implementation of APVs in the community an easy transition for residents. To build community acceptance of APVs, police departments must focus on transparency, education, and engagement with the community. d

 

Notes:

¹Lauren Rosenhall, “Gavin Newsom Is Mesmerized by the Growth of Driverless Cars. Other California Democrats, Not So Much,” Los Angeles Times, December 4, 2023.

²Rosenhall, “Gavin Newsom Is Mesmerized by the Growth of Driverless Cars.”

³Conal Cram, “AI-Powered Police Patrol Cars: A Futuristic Lead in Dubai’s Law Enforcement,” Future Mobility, October 17, 2023; “Self-Driving Police Patrol Cars Tested on Beijing Roads,” The Straits Times, updated November 1, 2024.

⁴Cram, “AI-Powered Police Patrol Cars.”

⁵“Self-Driving Police Patrol Cars Tested on Beijing Roads.”

⁶“Self-Driving Police Patrol Cars Tested on Beijing Roads”; Jiyo Malayil, “Cruise’s Autonomous Cars to Start Trials in Dubai This Month,” Interesting Engineering, October 2, 2023.

⁷Milica Cikusa, “Here’s Where American States Stand on Laws Around Autonomous Cars,” HotCars, January 21, 2023.

⁸Rachel Uranga, “Waymo to Launch Robotaxi Service in Los Angeles, but No Freeway Driving for Now,” Los Angeles Times, March 13, 2024.

⁹David Henkin, “Beware Technophobia Spreading Amid AI Fears and Calls for Delay,” Forbes, July 6, 2023.

¹⁰Lee Rainie et al., “Americans Cautious About the Deployment of Driverless Cars,” in AI and Human Enhancement: Americans’ Openness Is Tempered by a Range of Concerns (Pew Research Center, 2022).

¹¹Brittany Moye, “AAA: Fear of Self-Driving Cars on the Rise,” AAA Newsroom, March 2, 2023.

¹²Ellen Edmonds, “Three in Four Americans Remain Afraid of Fully Self-Driving Vehicles,” AAA Newsroom, March 14, 2019.

¹³Amit Mehta and Dan Davies, “Fear of Autonomous Vehicles,” North American Lighting Blog, October 27, 2020.

¹⁴Khristopher J. Brooks, “Motorists Fear Self-Driving Cars, AAA Says,” MoneyWatch, CBS News, March 2, 2023.

¹⁵Thomas Deane, “People Fear AI Tech, But Not Enough to Avoid Autonomous Cars,”  Tech Xplore, May 22, 2023.

¹⁶Assad Abbas, “Driving Innovation: Toyota’s AI-Powered Breakthroughs in Automotive Design,” Technopedia, updated July 18, 2023.

¹⁷Siraj Ahmed Shaikh and Madeline Cheah, “Here’s How We Can Stop Driverless Cars From Being Hacked,” The Conversation, August 23, 2017.

¹⁸Gulchehra Hoja, “Driverless Police Surveillance Cars Hit Streets of Xinjiang’s Karamay,” Radio Free Asia, July 14, 2022.

¹⁹Magnus Lofstrom, Brandon Martin, and Andrew Skelton, “California’s Notable Declines In Law Enforcement Staffing,” PPIC Blog, February 14, 2023.

²⁰Cram, “AI-Powered Police Patrol Cars.”

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Please cite as

Ryan Danowitz, “AI on Patrol,” Police Chief Online, April 2, 2025.