Hillsboro, OR – The Washington County Sheriff’s Office has begun testing Draft One, an artificial intelligence-powered report-writing system designed by Axon, the maker of police body cameras and Taser devices.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, deputies will participate in a 60-day pilot that began Wednesday, October 1, 2025. The AI software converts audio captured on body-worn cameras into draft report narratives, which deputies then review and finalize. Officials say the system is intended to save time while ensuring accuracy, with all AI-assisted reports labeled accordingly.
Axon first released Draft One nationally in April 2024, billing it as a way to cut down on the heavy paperwork demands that often take up 40% of an officer’s time each week. The company says the system can produce a draft within minutes of an incident ending, giving officers back hours in their shift. Early agency trials reported an 82% decrease in time spent writing reports.
Draft One comes with strict safeguards. Deputies are required to review every narrative, correct placeholders, and sign off on the accuracy before submission. The tool is also limited to certain report types, focusing on lower-level offenses such as DUII, theft, trespassing, and controlled substance possession, along with non-criminal reports like crashes and medical calls. Felony cases are not included.
At the end of the pilot, Washington County leaders and the District Attorney’s Office will evaluate whether to keep Draft One as a permanent part of police reporting. The technology is already being used in multiple agencies nationwide.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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