Council approves AI investigative analysis technology for Winters PD

September 4, 2026 - 19:54

At its Sept. 1 meeting, the city council gave the green light to a one-year contract with Longeye Inc., bringing artificial intelligence-based investigative analysis software to the Winters Police Department. The resolution passed without public comment, clearing the way for officers to begin using the system in the coming weeks.

The technology is designed to help detectives sift through large volumes of digital evidence, including body camera footage, surveillance video, and written reports. Instead of manually reviewing hours of material, the AI can flag patterns, identify key moments, and cross-reference data across multiple cases. Police Chief Marta Reyes said the tool will not replace human judgment but will speed up routine analysis, letting officers focus on field work and direct community engagement.

Council member Alan Torres asked about privacy safeguards before the vote. Staff confirmed that the system operates on department servers and that access is limited to sworn personnel with case-specific clearance. A review clause in the agreement allows the council to opt out after six months if concerns arise.

The total cost of the pilot program is set at 48,000 dollars, drawn from the department's existing technology budget. No new hires or overtime expenses are tied to the rollout. Training for current staff begins next month, with full deployment expected before the holiday season. The department plans to issue a public transparency report after the first 90 days of use.