PhD defence: Responsible policing in the algorithmic age

On Friday 16 May 2025 at 16.00 hrs., Isabelle Donatz-Fest will defend her PhD thesis Cop, Code, and Conduct. A practice-based understanding of responsible policing in the algorithmic age.

The rise of algorithmic systems is transforming our society. They offer benefits such as increased efficiency and improved decision-making, but also come with risks, such as discrimination and loss of trust.

To seize opportunities and prevent risks, it is important to find out how these systems are implemented in practice and how we can ensure that they meet democratic ideals and protect public values such as non-discrimination, safety, transparency and efficiency.

Daily trade-offs of values in practice

For her dissertation, Isabelle Donatz-Fest investigated how the Dutch police use algorithms, and how they can do so in a responsible way – i.e. by focusing on those public values. In a domain where algorithmic decisions can be a matter of life or death, protecting these values is essential.

Isabelle Donatz-Fest conducted ethnographic research into the design and use of algorithms in the police. She worked in the organisation for a long time and observed the everyday context of the work on algorithms. So also on how public and ethical values can play a role in this.

The use of algorithms is the work of human beings

Donatz-Fest's research shows that designing algorithmic systems, and their responsible use, are the work of human beings. Data scientists, people who provide the data and users of the system, but also managers, policymakers, administrators and politicians play a role. They all influence how an algorithm is embedded in the organization and how it functions in practice. In addition, they work in a physical context, which also plays an important role. 

Donatz-Fest's research also shows that responsible use of algorithms is an ongoing, evolving process that requires continuous improvement and adaptation. This requires organisational commitment and effort. Instead of looking for a 'one-size-fits-all' solution, according to Donatz-Fest, organisations, such as the police, should therefore work on embedding responsible algorithmisation in their organisational culture, where collaboration and flexibility are crucial.

By considering algorithms as dynamic and interconnected systems, public organisations can integrate those algorithms in a responsible way, so that these technologies make a positive contribution to society. The research results have also been shared with the police, which has led to adjustments to the work processes and algorithms in a few places.

Isabelle Donatz-Fest is a PhD student at the Utrecht University School of Governance (USG). In June, she will start as a Consultant for Responsible Data Use and AI at The Green Land.