San Francisco authorities have allowed city police to use remote-controlled robots armed with lethal weapons in emergency situations, CBS reported on November 30, citing local authorities.
The channel reported that the debate was heated, with civil liberties advocates and other police watchdog groups strongly disagreeing with the law enforcement initiative. Both sides accused each other of recklessly instilling fear.
The mayor’s committees indicated that they understand the fears of the population regarding the use of force, but “State law requires us to approve the use of this equipment.”
The San Francisco Police Department has said it has no plans to arm robots with small arms. We are talking about the use of robots equipped with explosives, “to contact, incapacitate or disorient armed or dangerous suspects”in exceptional cases in the case of threats to the lives of victims or police officers.
“Robots so equipped will only be used in extreme circumstances to save or prevent further loss of innocent life.”, the TV channel quotes the press service of the city police. It should be noted that the decision on the use of robots will be made by a limited number of high-ranking officers.
The San Francisco Police Department currently has twelve operational ground robots that are used for bomb screening or surveillance in low visibility conditions. According to the police, they were purchased between 2010 and 2017 and were never used to drop explosive devices.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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