A senior detective at Derbyshire Police is under investigation for possible gross misconduct linked to their use of artificial intelligence.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct confirmed it opened the case after Derbyshire Police made a voluntary referral.
The force said the referral followed an internal review of how the officer had been using AI tools.
Derbyshire Police made the referral to the IOPC on 23 June.
The force said the officer's use of AI may not have matched the guidance and conditions set by the force.
Derbyshire Police said the investigation is being led independently by the IOPC. The force said it could not comment further while the case is ongoing.
Detective Chief Inspector Named in Reports
The Financial Times reported that the officer at the center of the case is a detective chief inspector.
A person familiar with the matter told the newspaper the officer had used AI to help maintain decision logs.
Decision logs are records kept by senior investigators during a case. They explain why officers took each step during an investigation.
These logs can later be shared with defense lawyers. Lawyers use them to check how police handled a case before it goes to trial.
The IOPC said it decided the case warranted a full investigation. It said the officer has been given formal notice that they are under investigation for alleged gross misconduct.
Second Case Involves Different Officer
This is not the only AI-related case involving Derbyshire Police this year.
In June, the force opened a separate criminal investigation into another detective. That officer is accused of using AI systems to create evidential material in several cases.
Police allege the officer may have tried to pervert the course of justice. No arrests have been made in that case.
The force removed the officer from front-line duties while the investigation continues.
Both cases point to growing concern over how police officers are using AI tools in casework.
The Financial Times also reported that Gloucestershire Police fired a staff member over AI misuse. That employee had bypassed safety checks to use an AI chatbot for police work on several occasions.
The IOPC has not given a timeline for when its investigation into the Derbyshire detective chief inspector will conclude.
Derbyshire Police has not released the officer's name or rank details beyond confirming the referral.
The case remains open, and the IOPC is continuing to gather information as part of its investigation into the officer's conduct.
