Commonwealth Games security’s facial recognition system did not work, report says

A crucial security system used by Queensland Police during the Commonwealth Games did not have the data to work effectively, a report has found.

THE Facial recognition system used by Queensland Police during the Commonwealth Games did not have the data to work effectively, an ABC report has found.

It revealed the rollout of the system used on the Gold Coast last year was so rushed and had so few specific target points that it ended up being used for general policing.

Gold Coast Commonwealth Games security left in dark as wage dispute rages

Security at the Gold Coast’s Commonwealth Games disorganised, quitting by the hundreds

Commonwealth Games security staff ’dudded’ on pay

The facial recognition system was supposed to identify suspects for crimes that could attract a sentence of at least three years in jail.

However, an evaluation report obtained by the ABC under Right to Information (RTI) showed just how ineffective the system was.

“Difficulties were experienced in data ingestion into one of the systems with the testing and availability not available until the week Operation Sentinel [the Games security operation] commenced,” the report found.

“The inability of not having the legislation passed, both Commonwealth and state, in time for the Commonwealth Games reduced the database from an anticipated 46 million images to approximately eight million.”

The Queensland Police Service (QPS) and Australian Defence Force (ADF) hold a capability demonstration for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games at Broadwater Parklands. SERT squad members at the ready. Picture Glenn Hampson

The report found that police records were included in the system’s database but images from Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads were left out.

Halfway through the Games, after only five of the 268 requested identities were matched, the technology was opened up to basic policing.

“Given the limited requests from within the Games, opportunity to conduct inquiries for the general policing environment was provided to enable better testing of the processes and capabilities,” the report stated.

The Queensland Police Service reportedly initially denied that there was any problem with the system, and told ABC News there were “no problems experienced with its use.”