Police jobs restructure document does not mention AI

A 113-page decision document on a restructure of information services at police does not mention artificial intelligence (AI) a single time.

Yet police said on Tuesday: "We appreciate there has been some uncertainty about what the future of AI in the police will look like."

Instead, the document uses the terms "automation" and "digital enablement" about a dozen times. It refers to "transparency" almost 20 times.

It was issued to staff in July, led to job cuts, creations and changes last month, and was released to RNZ on Tuesday.

"We are committed to being open and transparent that digital enablement, automation and improved data integration will deliver material efficiencies over time, particularly within enabling teams and functions," the document said in its introduction.

Police are among scores of public agencies setting up new operating models that attempt to align with the Government's direction to cut thousands of public sector jobs, but not the "front line", and increase the uptake of AI.

The Public Service Commission foresaw in April that this push "will mean a much [more aggressive/targeted approach to AI]".

Police have set up an AI innovation lab and adopted several transcription, translation and other investigative AI tools in the past year, at several points sparking job fears among staff in their Service Group, documents showed.

RNZ inquiries show police cut more than 40 positions and created about 20 last month in their Frontline File Management team.

A year-long review significantly affected 72 positions among the 260 staff consulted. They work at 10 locations processing masses of files vital to investigations and prosecutions. They gave leaders about 800 pieces of feedback.

Seven were made redundant and 17 took voluntary redundancy. The separate Transcription team is now subject to its own modernisation programme.

Almost all the cuts - 41 - were among file coordinators, though these roles were described as "critical" to maintaining quality and hitting deadlines.

"We recognise the concern that removal of this layer may create gaps that could affect accuracy, increase errors and slow turnaround times, particularly if responsibilities are not effectively absorbed into the new structure," the document said.

At the same time, the document said the overall feedback from staff on the restructure was that change was necessary.

"The intent of the model is to deliver net savings through reduced total FTE [full-time equivalent jobs], streamlined structures and more efficient allocation of work."

The Government has repeatedly stressed that any job cuts would not erode the front line in police, prisons, health and other key agencies.

However, in this case, the police file management unit carries "frontline" in its actual title and includes front-counter non-sworn staff who are often the public's first point of contact.

The front-counter staff were among those who expressed worries that their distinct skills risked being overlooked.

"Uncertainty about how expertise will be recognised is contributing to lower trust in outcomes," the document said.

"The combined effect of these concerns, particularly around fairness, loss of development pathways and potential erosion of knowledge, is seen as a risk to morale, trust and retention."

Staff also questioned what savings would be made.

"Many submissions question whether removing lower-band roles while introducing or expanding higher-band positions will genuinely reduce costs, particularly when combined with redundancy payouts and increased salary expenditure.

"Retaining trained personnel is widely seen as a more cost-effective option than replacing capability through overtime or new hires."

Police leadership said the changes made in the unit had to match up with reality and promised transparency over the finances.

The decision document makes clear there will be more change to come, in phases, due to digitalisation, automation and service improvement.

Transcription Services, at the epicentre of the AI job worries, is next.

"The staff will have the opportunity to engage with" the modernisation programme, police said on Tuesday.

The restructure document suggests police must do better.

"A consistent theme across the feedback is the need for greater clarity and transparency about the future operating model, particularly in relation to centralisation and the long-term direction of File Management."