A Black History Month celebration

How can technology create positive change in communities? As part of our Black History Month programming, the Axon team hosted a panel discussion on this very topic. Cameron Brooks, Axon’s Chief Revenue Officer; Frank Scott Jr., Mayor of Little Rock, Arkansas; and Tarrick McGuire, Chief of Police for the Alexandria Police Department (Va.), sat down with Axon’s Community Impact team to explore how public safety professionals can use innovation to foster trust, enhance accountability and transform policing to better serve communities.

During the conversation, Mayor Scott shared his firsthand experience leading a city committed to progressive public safety reform. Axon technology has played a critical role in reducing officer-involved shootings in Little Rock.

“We leverage technology to build trust, not break it,” Mayor Scott emphasized. “Body-worn cameras, real-time crime centers, and de-escalation tools like TASER energy weapons help ensure transparency, accountability, and officer safety, all essential for modern policing.”

Chief McGuire echoed this sentiment, sharing how Axon’s technology has enabled data-driven decision-making at his agency. He specifically highlighted how AI-driven solutions give agencies the ability to respond effectively to community concerns while safeguarding officers from harm.

“There’s no doubt that technology is reshaping how we engage with the community,” Chief McGuire said. “But with innovation comes responsibility. We have to ensure these tools are used ethically, equitably, and in a way that strengthens public trust.”

Technology as a bridge

The idea of ethics was a key theme throughout the discussion. The group emphasized the need for ethical guardrails in public safety technology—proactive measures that ensure public safety tools, particularly AI-enabled tools, don’t perpetuate biases. Mayor Scott shared how Little Rock has paired its deployment of Axon Fusus real-time crime center technology with new policies designed to prevent over-policing in historically underserved neighborhoods.

“We can be tough on crime and tough on reform at the same time,” Mayor Scott said. “The key is leveraging technology as a bridge, not a barrier—ensuring equitable implementation and community oversight.”

The discussion left attendees with a clear takeaway: The future of public safety requires a deep partnership among technology providers, law enforcement and the communities they serve.

The discussion left attendees with a clear takeaway: the future of public safety requires a deep partnership between technology providers, law enforcement, and the communities they serve.

“As a company, we know that we don’t have all the answers—but we’re committed to listening and learning,” shared Shannon Moore, Director of Community Impact at Axon. “Through direct engagement with grassroots organizations, we’re working to align innovation with real community needs—because technology alone won’t solve these issues. It’s about how we use it.”

To learn more about Axon’s commitment to responsible innovation, visit axon.com/responsibility/responsible-innovation.