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Washington County sheriff details drone pilot, AI-assisted report drafting and jail upgrades to Tualatin council
Summary
Sheriff Massey updated the City Council on county public‑safety programs including a drone‑as‑first‑responder pilot, limited use of AI to draft deputy reports (with mandatory deputy review), expanded jail programming and the voter‑approved public safety levy that funds staffing and services.
Sheriff Brian Massey delivered the Washington County Sheriff’s Office annual update to the Tualatin City Council on May 11, highlighting technology pilots, jail programing and staffing supported by a recently passed public safety levy.
Massey described two technology pilots: a drone‑as‑first‑responder (DFR) program used to get rapid “eyes on” calls and a pilot that uses AI to draft report text for deputies, which the sheriff said includes deliberate, editable errors so the deputy must confirm and affirm the report as their work product. "Yes, the answer is it's being used for prosecution," Massey said. "The AI generated report … has intentional errors … the deputy has to go through and read because it has to be his or her work product." He stressed deputies must review and swear to reports before they become official.
Massey also discussed the DFR examples where drones tracked suspects and provided real‑time intelligence to responding officers, helping resolve incidents without prolonged vehicle pursuits. He said the county currently operates two hive‑style first‑responder drone units and several additional drones distributed across the county for tactical and search missions.
On detention, the sheriff noted ongoing jail repairs that temporarily closed housing units but said the county reopened a pod for detox and stabilization. He outlined jail programming—behavioral health, GED, parenting classes—and described plans to retain or identify vendors for a jail expansion study to determine whether to build vertically or seek new property. Massey credited voter approval of the recent public safety levy as key to funding the initiatives.
Council members asked about privacy and prosecutorial admissibility for drone footage and AI‑assisted drafts. Massey said agencies are coordinating with the district attorney’s office and that AI‑drafted content is accompanied by disclaimers and deputy attestation. He confirmed jail deputies would begin using body‑worn cameras this month.
The update ended with council appreciation for levy investments and questions about staffing and program delivery timelines.
