Enhancing Ethical Oversight: Overcoming Epistemic Injustice to Promote Community Representation in Police Oversight Ethics Committees

• In Event: Organizational Dynamics and Institutional Reform

Abstract

Community engagement in ethical oversight committees can enrich the ethical review process by integrating diverse perspectives that can enhance decision-making. Integrating community representation in ethical oversight committees in policing offers a strand of transparency, strengthening public trust. Through in-depth qualitative interviews with ethics committee members (n=10), data science and Police (n=6), and community advocates (n=10), this paper draws on the concept of epistemic injustice to explore community representation within ethics committees that oversee the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in policing. The paper highlights the persistence of epistemic injustice, where the experiences and perspectives of affected communities are often undervalued or dismissed, especially when technical expertise dominates the conversation. It argues for a more inclusive, participatory approach that not only invites community involvement but also actively empowers representatives through knowledge-sharing, training, and intermediary roles to bridge knowledge gaps between technical and lay perspectives. By fostering an environment where community members are both heard and their contributions are integrated into ethical decision-making, this paper suggests that ethics oversight committees can overcome epistemic injustice, strengthen public trust, and enhance the legitimacy of AI in policing. The research offers recommendations for developing equitable and effective engagement strategies that ensure marginalised communities.

Authors

• Claire Paterson-Young, University of Northampton

• Michael Maher, University of Northampton