San Francisco: SFPD’s Armed Robots Given Permission to Deal Deadly Force to Assailants, Kill on Site

Isaiah Richard, Tech Times 01 December 2022, 12:12 am

San Francisco City's Board of Supervisors agreed with the SFPD regarding the use of its robots to deal deadly force against armed assailants and criminals, with permission to kill on-site.The proposal passed earlier is asking for permission to grant the San Francisco Police Department to use their remote-controlled machines for dealing with these situations.

The controversial policy first saw opposition from groups and the city's Rules Committee, one that argues against the use of robots to resort to the "Use of Force against any person."

San Francisco Approves SFPD's Armed Robots with Deadly Force

(Photo : PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP via Getty Images)

The city of San Francisco already approved the proposed Law Enforcement Equipment Policy for the SFPD, centering on the use of armed robots that can deal deadly force to dangerous criminals. The main focus of this approval is to avoid the loss of life amongst the San Francisco Police Department's officers when faced with armed assailants.

It is a first for the city, one that gives permission and access to police robots to use deadly force, one that centers on avoiding any critical injuries or loss of life for its police.

SFPD currently has 17 robots in its possession, with 12 of these, operational. It differs in size and function, with one purpose for reconnaissance and surveillance of places, and the other to examine and detonate explosives on site.

SFPD Will Not Arm Robots But Equip with Explosives

According to Sky News, SFPD spokesperson Allison Maxie explained that the city's police have no existing armed robots in its fleet. All of San Francisco PD's current robots are remote-controlled.

Additionally, it will equip these robots with explosives "to contact, incapacitate, or disorient violent, armed, or dangerous suspect" in "extreme circumstances to save or prevent further loss of innocent lives."

Robots for Law Enforcement, Military

There are many pros and cons regarding the use of mechanical technology to help law enforcement authorities and defense officers for their needs in upholding peace and safety. One positive use of robots is for the US Navy which may soon receive one from Sarcos, aiming to develop one that would help the soldiers to defuse mines.

Law enforcement's focus on robots among their ranks is to preserve the life of its officers and officials, one that would prevent the loss of life with the confrontations among criminals.

However, there was one robot called the HP RoboCop who failed to contact the police officers in California when she pushed for help, failing to serve its purpose as an aid to the public in emergencies.

Nevertheless, autonomous robots for law enforcement are a different story from San Francisco PD's robots that its uniformed personnel would control for its needs.

In this age of modernization and technology, the police want to preserve life and protect its officers by sending in robots instead of people to deal with dangerous individuals, with San Francisco approving of this venture. The recent decision concludes the controversial proposal, one where the SFPD would have the power and option to resort to technology for grave situations.