FARGO, N.D. – The Cass County Board of Commissioners voted 3‑2 on Monday, Nov. 2, to postpone approval of a ten‑year contract with Axon that would cost $9.6 million and provide the department’s new Draft One AI software. The delay allows the board to review long‑range financial forecasts before committing to the nearly $1 million annual expense.
Why the technology matters to the sheriff’s office
Sheriff Jesse Jahner explained that the county’s 1,768 square‑mile jurisdiction and its 68 patrol officers require a lot of paperwork. “Writing reports takes a lot of time, and we want our resources on the street instead of driving to the office and doing reports,” he said. Draft One uses artificial intelligence to generate a first draft of incident reports from body‑worn and in‑vehicle camera footage, after which officers must review, edit, and sign an affidavit confirming accuracy.
Information Director Bob Henderson estimates the software could save each officer about two hours per week, equating to roughly 7,072 hours—or $340,022—in annual savings. He added that the contract also locks in pricing for ten years and includes unlimited video storage, a benefit for open‑records compliance.
Commissioners weigh cost against benefit
Commissioner Jim Kapitan voiced support for the tool, saying, “I agree you need it. It’s something that is vastly needed,” but expressed concern over the dollar amount. “It’s the dollar signs that I struggle with,” he added.
County officials noted that the sheriff’s office spent $481,000 on overtime last year. While Draft One is not expected to eliminate overtime entirely, Henderson said the time saved could free deputies for other operational duties and help address understaffing without cutting headcount.
How the software works and safeguards
Draft One does not make decisions for officers. “Their system does not take away choices. It does not come to conclusions. It does not make any decisions,” Henderson emphasized. Officers must still verify the AI‑generated content, and supervisors give final approval before a report is filed.
Similar deployments in nearby Fargo, Moorhead, and West Fargo have shown comparable efficiencies. Fargo approved a $13.4 million ten‑year contract in late 2025, and its police department began using Draft One in July. Moorhead’s five‑year contract, costing $384,000 annually, has produced 1,700 reports and saved an estimated 560 officer hours to date.
Next steps for Cass County
The commission plans to reconvene later this month after completing a detailed financial analysis. If approved, the contract would begin in 2028, providing a long‑term, price‑stable solution for the sheriff’s office.
Both law‑enforcement leaders and county officials stress that the AI tool is a productivity aid, not a replacement for officer judgment or community engagement. “This is not a way to reduce headcount. It is a way to better utilize the headcount we have for serving justice out in our communities,” Sheriff Jahner said.
Original reporting: InForum (Fargo section) — read the source article.
