Bristol, Virginia Police Department to implement new facial recognition technology
BRISTOL, Va. (WJHL) — Police in Bristol, Virginia have a new tool to help fight crime in the area.
According to a news release from the Bristol, Virginia Police Department (BVPD), the department now has access to Clearview AI through LexisNexis through a partnership with the Bristol, Virginia Commonwealth's Attorney's Office.
Surveillance images of a suspect can be input into Clearview AI, which sources a database of images from public websites, the BVPD said.
'With the growing use of doorbell cameras, home security systems, and advanced surveillanceby private businesses, it's critical that we leverage available technology to stay ahead,' Chief D. Byron Ashbrook said in the release. 'This tool allows our detectives and officers to generate investigative leads in seconds—significantly faster than waiting on public tips after releasing a suspect's image.'
Ashbrook said the use of facial recognition will be 'governed by strict regulations set forth by the Commonwealth of Virginia, along with a comprehensive department policy.'
The BVPD is reportedly the first local law enforcement agency in Virginia to implement this advanced technology.
Clearview AI participates in the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Face Recognition Vendor Test (FRVT) and consistently achieves over 99% accuracy across all demographics, according to the release.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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