Tampa Police Rolls Out AI Video Call System for 911 Dispatchers

Tampa Police Department unveiled an AI-powered 911 video call system on Jan. 6. Dispatchers can now see live video from callers when trouble strikes. They text a link to people who dial 911, and those callers can stream live video and send photos straight from their cellphone cameras.

"If somebody's on the phone saying someone's with a gun, and we can't get that type of information, now we can see it," said Chief Lee Bercaw, according to FOX 13. "What type of gun is it? Is it an automatic weapon? So, all of that could change our response."

Callers must say yes through phone prompts before video access starts. The chat session closes when calls end. Callers then get told that monitoring has stopped. All video and photo evidence joins the case record and can appear in court.

Last week, the system helped locate a missing five-year-old. Dispatchers asked the parent for a recent picture, then pushed it to 12 officers' cellphones in minutes.

Communications Supervisor Richard Parsons stressed that dispatcher training zeroes in on caller safety. Dispatchers won't tell callers to chase suspects. They won't ask people to risk their own safety just to grab better footage.

The department also rolled out body-worn camera translation technology that handles 54 languages. Officers press a button on their cameras to activate real-time translation. No backup needed. No phone-based services required.

Officer Jaclyn Douillard used the translation feature during a robbery call. "That bodycam and that translation helped us get a description of the suspect and get a description of the vehicle, as well as the items that were in the lady's purse," said Douillard per FOX 13.

About 25% of Tampa residents speak a language other than English at home, according to Census data. The translation system breaks down communication barriers without making officers hold phones or stare down at screens.

A third tool gives officers access to an AI chatbot for department policies and procedures. Officers can type questions like "I'm on a domestic violence call, what are some things I need to know?" and receive instant answers through a mobile app.

Hillsborough County 911 funds the Prepared 911 program. The body camera technology comes through TPD's contract with Axon Assistant's Policy Chat & Translation. Chief Bercaw reported the department saw drops in homicides, violent crime, and property crime last year.

Emergency crews across Hillsborough County have access to the technology, but only TPD has launched it so far. Pasco County Sheriff's Office uses the body cam translation and voice-activated policy guidance.