Data-driven policing and AI: Modernising law enforcement – cultivating the ‘phygital officer’ to address skills gaps

20th July 2026Dr Oliver R. Stoetzer, Assistant Professor, Wilfrid Laurier University

In the second of three articles exploring data-driven policing and AI, Wilfrid Laurier University Assistant Professor Dr Oliver R Stoetzer and Professor James Robertson explore the need to address the skills gap around the growing use of AI and digital technology in policing, and the emergence of the ‘phygital officer’ – a law enforcement professional successfully able to integrate physical investigative skills with digital, cyber, and AI literacy – and the competency framework needed to develop those officers.

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Data-driven policing and AI: Modernising law enforcement – cultivating the ‘phygital officer’ to address skills gaps

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