The East Lansdowne Police Department in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, is using body cameras powered by Artificial Intelligence to translate conversations in real time. The technology is designed to help officers communicate with victims, witnesses and suspects who do not speak English, reducing language barriers during field interactions.
Police previously relied on translation apps, which could slow conversations during important moments. The new body cameras serve as built-in interpreters and can translate 50 languages instantly. Officers say the tools make it easier to gather information in the field, while residents say communication has become more convenient when officers can switch to Chinese or other languages on the spot.
Police said in the six months since rolling out the technology, it has helped officers gather critical information, solve cases and build trust within the community. Chief James Cadden described the impact as profound, while Officer Bhavin Patel called the system a worthwhile investment for police work. Officials also said the system can pick up on nuance in conversations, which can be more difficult with volunteer interpreters.
The program was funded through a ?,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, that covered the cameras, cloud storage and translation services. The department hopes to expand the technology further, with the goal of making every officer fluent in the field.
