The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) faced scrutiny after posting and then deleting an image of seized drugs and cash that was labeled as being 'made with AI.' The image was shared on social media on June 23, 2026, as part of a routine update on a drug bust, but the department quickly replaced it with a traditional photograph.
Confusion over AI-generated evidence
The original post featured a graphic that appeared to show stacks of cash and bags of narcotics, but a small watermark in the corner read 'made with AI.' This led to immediate questions from the public and media about whether the department was using artificial intelligence to fabricate evidence or enhance images for public relations.
According to VPD spokesperson Constable Tania Visintin, the image was created by a staff member using an AI tool for illustrative purposes only. 'It was not intended to mislead,' Visintin said. 'The image was meant to represent the items seized in a visually clear way, but we recognize that the labeling was insufficient and caused confusion.'
Policy on digital representations
The VPD has not previously disclosed any policy regarding the use of AI-generated images in official communications. The incident has raised broader concerns about transparency and the potential for misinformation when law enforcement agencies use synthetic media.
Constable Visintin emphasized that no AI-generated images will be used in future posts without explicit disclaimers. 'We are reviewing our social media guidelines to ensure that any digitally created content is clearly and conspicuously labeled,' she said.
Reactions and implications
Privacy and digital rights advocates criticized the move. 'Using AI to depict evidence undermines public trust,' said Brenda McPhail, director of privacy, technology, and surveillance at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association. 'If the police want to show what they seized, they should show the actual photographs.'
The deleted post was screenshotted and shared widely on platforms like X and Reddit, with users questioning the authenticity of other VPD images. The department has not confirmed whether any other AI-generated images have been used in the past.
This incident comes amid growing scrutiny of police use of technology, including facial recognition and predictive algorithms. The VPD has stated that the AI tool used was a standard image generator and not specialized law enforcement software.
