For the first time in Australia, police will roll out real-time facial recognition cameras in public areas to scan crowds for suspects and criminals.
The technology, which uses artificial intelligence to cross-reference faces with a database, will be deployed in Western Australia from Monday.
WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said the cameras will enable police to better protect the public by catching criminals more quickly.
"It is another tool to help police find the right people, at the right time, for the right reasons," he said on Friday.
The cameras will be mounted on or positioned in the vicinity of a marked police vehicle in designated public spaces.
It's hoped it will help identify reportable offenders, people with outstanding warrants, and suspects in serious offences.
It could also be used to identify convicted child sex offenders who are prohibited from being near children.
Police could also use the technology to help officers locate vulnerable and missing people, and those subject to lawful restrictions, such as protected entertainment precinct orders.
"It allows police to focus on individuals who present a real risk, while the vast majority of people go about their day without any impact at all," Mr Blanch said.
Images of community members who are not on the alert list are automatically pixelated in real time and are not saved.
There is no record-keeping of this data.
WA Police are yet to say how long the trial will last.
Live facial recognition systems have been rolled out across the UK by police.
They're also being used in retail stores to clamp down on theft.
Critics say it's Orwellian, and some people are being wrongly identified.
It's leading to people being ejected from stores, with few avenues to appeal the decision.
Others have been held in police custody after being misidentified as suspects in major crimes.
Human rights groups have raised concerns, alleging UK police were retaining thousands of images of Britons who were never charged or were later cleared of a criminal offence following their arrest.
