Staffordshire police enlists new AI powered virtual bobbi

Staffordshire Police has announced that it has become the first force in the Midlands region to introduce Bobbi, a new AI-powered virtual assistant. 

Bobbi is designed to help with non-emergency, first contact queries, as part of a year-long pilot scheme within the force.

Staffordshire Police said that the technology cannot be used to report a crime, and it is not replacing the 999 emergency line.

The police force said the virtual assistant, which is built into the Live Chat facility on their website, aims to make it "easier and faster for you to get answers to common questions".

Using the same information that call handlers rely on, Bobbi can provide " quick, bespoke answers" for people seeking advice, guidance, or signposting.

The virtual assistant will act as an additional service to the public alongside online forms, telephone lines and front counters. If Bobbi can't answer a question, it will connect the user to a human member of the team.