San Francisco approves police petition to use robots as a 'deadly force option'

The San Francisco Police Department petitioned the Board of Supervisors for permission to use robots to kill suspects. The petition was approved by the board despite strong opposition from civil liberties groups. When the risk of loss of life to members of the public or officers is imminent and outweighs any other force option available to the San Francisco Police Department, robots can be used as a deadly force option.

The city's police force has over a dozen robots that are capable of providing video intelligence and defusing bombs. There are no plans to fit them with weapons or live bullets. They can now be used with explosives to contact, incapacitate, or disorient a violent, armed, or dangerous suspect. They said thatRobots equipped in this manner would only be used to save or prevent innocent lives.

Due to a California law that went into effect this year, SF officials have to define the authorized uses of its robot and other military grade equipment. "Robots shall not be used as a Use of Force against any person" was added by a board member. The use ofrobots as a deadly force was amended by the SFPD. The revised version of the policy states that officials can only use robots with explosives after they have exhausted all other options. Only a few high-ranking officials will be able to authorize the use of robots.

The policy was not approved by all of San Francisco's supervisors. Allowing the SFPD to use robots to kill people is a sad moment for the city, according toPreston. He said that giving the police the power to arm remote-controlledrobots will place black and brown people in disproportionate danger. Mandelman said that the final version of the policy "lays out reasonable restrictions on the use of robots" despite the hyperbole expressed by many who oppose it.

Mandelman told Fox KTVU that it would be irresponsible to not userobots in life threatening situations. Matthew Guariglia of the Electronic Frontier Foundation told the news organization that they are going to reduce the burden of using deadly force from having to pull a gun and pull the Trigger to a Button on a remote control.