JONESBORO, Ark.—Jonesboro’s dispatch center has introduced an artificial intelligence system designed to handle non-emergency calls, officials confirmed. The AI, named Lezle, is being tested during a two-day trial period alongside the center’s human staff.

Named in honor of former 911 dispatcher Lezle Wilson, who passed away in 2023, the AI assistant focuses solely on non-emergency tasks. This frees up human dispatchers to address critical emergencies, according to city officials.

Currently, the dispatch center operates with 22 full-time dispatchers working 12-hour shifts. These staff members manage communications for more than 200 police officers across nine police departments and 11 fire departments. Despite this staffing level, some shifts are covered by as few as three dispatchers, highlighting the heavy workload.

“We’re trying to run a radio while also answering the 911s, while also answering the non-emergencies,” said Savannah Tinsley, a dispatcher with two years of experience. “So having somebody take that over for us, even if it is AI, helps us a lot. It relieves a lot of stress and extra workload.”

Lezle scans and attends to incoming non-emergency calls. For instance, during a recent call, a caller inquired about fingerprinting services. The AI collected the caller’s name and phone number, directed them to visit the Jonesboro Police Department, and sent a follow-up text message with operating hours and information about the $15 fee for the service.

“Just like everybody else, we had our concerns in the beginning,” said veteran dispatcher Terra Summers. “But once we actually got to use the system, we realized how beneficial it is to everyone.”

Supervisors emphasized that the AI will never handle 911 emergency calls. "She’s never going to answer a 911 call," said Training Coordinator Cristy Hundley. "And if she determines that a non-emergency call is actually an emergency, she’s going to send it straight to a dispatcher right then."

Dispatchers are monitoring Lezle’s responses closely during the trial period, which includes overnight operation. Officials stated that updates will follow as they evaluate the AI’s performance and potential future role in the dispatch center.