SAPOL hunts for automated transcription solution

South Australia Police (SAPOL) has released a tender to source an AI enabled transcription solution for use to create accurate transcriptions of interview recordings, body worn video recordings, and other recorded media.

SAPOL undertook a limited Proof of Concept in 2023 using a transcription solution utilised by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.

The purpose of this activity was to assess the potential operational efficiencies associated with automated transcription capabilities. The PoC demonstrated that an effective transcription solution would provide measurable benefits to SAPOL operations. However, it also identified a number of limitations and constraints associated with the solution at that time.

This current procurement proposes to progress to a formal Proof of Value stage, under which the selected supplier will work collaboratively with SAPOL to implement and validate an automated transcription solution in a controlled operational environment.

The PoV stage is intended to confirm the solution’s ability to deliver the anticipated operational benefits prior to any commitment to full implementation.

Currently, transcriptions are created manually by administrative staff or police officers and require validation in addition to the transcription itself.

The new capability must provide security, confidentiality and chain-of-custody requirements during the transcription process; ingest different formats of audio and audio/visual files; automatically transcribe audio/visual files; and enable manual editing of the auto-generated text and raw files.

It also must cater for multiple languages and provide a translation capability, as well as embed AI features beyond transcription, such as speaker identification, search/timeline search, automated redaction and generated summaries.

The successful supplier will be required to implement the solution during a PoV phase; support transition to full implementation, subject to successful completion and acceptance of the PoV phase; and deliver ongoing support and maintenance, including system updates, defect resolution, and operational support for the duration of the contract.

The tender closes at 2:00pm on 10 August 2026.

Earlier this month, SAPOL went to market for a supplier to provide a commercial, off-the-shelf biometric fingerprint system.