The trial comes as national debate continues over facial recognition in law enforcement. The Biometrics Institute recently called for unified nationwide regulations on police use of facial recognition technology, noting inconsistent rules and oversight across UK forces.
“We are committed to exploring innovative technologies that can help us keep our communities safe,” said Suffolk’s Chief Constable Rachel Kearton. “This trial of Live Facial Recognition will allow us to evaluate its potential benefits and challenges in a real-world setting.”
Assistant Chief Constable David Cutler addressed public concerns, saying, “We understand the public may have concerns about this technology. We want to assure everyone that this is a limited trial, and we will be carefully evaluating its impact and effectiveness before making any decisions about its future use.”
The announcement follows recent UK biometric surveillance policy developments. In late 2024, a House of Lords committee called for new regulations on facial recognition technology and recommended creating a statutory code of practice.
Suffolk Constabulary confirmed the trial will follow data protection laws, with results to be published afterward. The force will seek feedback from community stakeholders about the technology’s implementation.
The force will assess the trial’s impact on public safety and law enforcement operations before considering any long-term deployment.
Source: Suffolk Constabulary
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February 12, 2025 – by the ID Tech Editorial Team
