Singapore Police Launch AI Chatbot to Streamline Report Filing and Reduce Follow-Up Calls
Members of the public in Singapore will soon be able to lodge police reports with greater clarity and accuracy thanks to a new artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot.
The Report Lodging Co-Pilot, known as R-COP, will be available from Wednesday, 1 October, at self-help kiosks across seven police division headquarters.
Source: The Straits Times
Developed in collaboration with the Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX), the system aims to simplify the reporting process and reduce the time officers spend following up on incomplete reports.
How the Chatbot Guides Report Filing
The AI system interacts with users through a conversational interface, prompting them to provide relevant information based on the type of incident being reported.
For instance, a hit-and-run report will trigger questions about vehicle details, damage sustained, and nearby CCTV cameras, while scam reports prompt users for online contact information such as social media usernames and bank account numbers.
Source: The Straits Times
A draft report is then automatically generated, translating casual language into formal police terminology.
In a recent test by a local media, describing a hit-and-run as "another car banged into mine" was converted by R-COP into the formal phrasing "collided."
Users can review and edit the draft before submitting, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
Source: CNA
Reducing Time-Consuming Follow-Ups
Previously, self-help kiosks collected only basic information, often leaving out key details such as phone numbers or licence plate numbers.
Investigation officers frequently had to make follow-up calls to fill in these gaps, consuming time for both the public and the police.
With R-COP, the AI identifies missing critical information and guides users to provide it upfront, improving efficiency and the quality of reports.
Source: CNA
Safeguards and Testing to Ensure Accuracy
Data submitted to R-COP is stored on secure government servers and protected under stringent cybersecurity protocols.
The Singapore Police Force (SPF) emphasised that the system has undergone rigorous testing to prevent inaccuracies, though occasional irrelevant questions or errors in the generated summary may occur.
Source: The Straits Times
SPF advised users to carefully review AI-generated drafts before submitting them.
Officers remain available at kiosks to assist those unfamiliar with the technology, and the public can opt out of using the AI entirely.
Where the Chatbot Will Be Available
R-COP will be accessible at nine kiosks spread across seven police divisions.
Woodlands will host three kiosks, while Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Central, Clementi, Jurong, and Tanglin divisions will each have one.
Users can log in with Singpass and choose between filing a report with R-COP or using the traditional digital method.
Will This Make Case Handling Faster and More Efficient
Coinlive observes that R-COP could streamline report lodging, but its true impact on efficiency will depend on user adoption and careful oversight.
While AI can identify missing details and translate casual descriptions into formal language, occasional errors or misinterpretations may still occur.
Human officers remain essential to verify and refine reports, raising questions about whether AI will accelerate case handling substantially or mainly serve as a support tool.
The balance between automation and human judgment will likely define whether R-COP can meaningfully reduce investigation time without compromising accuracy.
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