Body-worn cameras have become widespread in American policing. Yet the vast majority of this footage—showing countless interactions between police and communities—remains unused and unexamined.

This overlooked data presents an opportunity to improve police practices through evidence-based research. Working with Stanford SPARQ, we are developing frameworks that use AI to study body-worn camera footage systematically, uncovering patterns in police-community interactions that were previously hidden. Our team’s approach combines advanced AI analysis with careful policy development to address key questions about fairness, respect, and procedural justice in policing—especially in communities where Black and Brown Americans experience more frequent encounters with law enforcement. The project aims to create practical research frameworks that can help communities across California and beyond, turning what has been called “the largest new investment in policing in a generation” into a driver for meaningful change.