The Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office consolidated Communications Center has introduced a new Artificial Intelligence system named Ava

In an effort to streamline dispatch operations and maintain focus on critical emergencies, the Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office consolidated Communications Center has introduced a new Artificial Intelligence system named Ava, developed by Aurelian. The AI platform is now actively handling routine and non-urgent calls for service, freeing up human dispatchers to concentrate on radio traffic and urgent 911 situations.

Callers contacting the non-emergency line are encouraged to speak naturally with Ava rather than navigating it like a traditional automated phone tree. Instead of pressing buttons or requesting specific departments like "dispatch" or "jail," users should simply state the exact reason for their call. Whether reporting a complaint or asking to post bond for an inmate, providing clear details allows Ava to quickly route the caller to the appropriate division or personnel.

Sheriff Knowles emphasized that the transition will not lead to job cuts or reduce the quality of public safety services. Instead, the technology is intended to build additional capacity within the system to better handle peak call volumes. As a consolidated dispatch center serving seven police departments, seven fire departments, and the Sheriff’s Office across Ozaukee County, the facility processed 113,538 non-emergency calls and 17,612 emergency 911 calls in 2025. With emergency call volumes up 17 percent this year, workload management tools have become increasingly essential.

Ava is fully equipped to transfer callers directly to 911 if an emergency is detected during the interaction. The platform has undergone rigorous training and features full Spanish language proficiency. By handling routine inquiries, the system helps alleviate operational pressures while ensuring dispatchers remain dedicated to managing life-saving emergency responses.