The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) has been proposing a new way to use its robots for helping its law enforcement procedures, and this time, using the technology to kill "sufficient threats" on the spot. Its robots will be given the authority to use deadly force on suspects who exhibit violence, one that could result in losing lives in encounters.
The city's police department aims to protect the lives of the officers who put their lives at risk daily to protect the law and uphold it among violators who resort to criminal activities.
SFPD Wants its Robots to Kill Threats on the Spot
The San Francisco PD is now pushing a petition to the City's Board of Supervisors regarding the use of robots that bring lethal force to threats they deem are sufficiently dangerous enough. The SFPD wants their robots to apply deadly or lethal force to eliminate threats and avoid any loss of lives for their uniformed personnel.
The police's draft was already approved by the three-member Rules Committee, of which Aaron Peskin is also a member, with the petition moving to the City's Board.
These robots would be unmanned and remotely piloted by a police officer of the City of San Francisco, centering on a ground-based vehicle to join officers in their pursuit.
City Board Previously Opposed the Proposition
According to Mission Local, the draft policy was initially approved for authorization by the Rules Committee, but one member, Aaron Peskin, previously opposed this proposition from the police. It was initially said that robots "shall not be used as a Use of Force against any person," especially in eliminating targets or killing them on the spot.
Nevertheless, the draft policy will still see deliberation from the Board of Supervisors for further review.
Robots' Application for Law Enforcement
Early pop culture movies centered on using sentient life forms, cyborgs, and robots to do their bidding for them, and as part of the story, some of these mechanical beings assist humans in taking down bad guys. There are several designs of modern-day robots centering on these features, with their capabilities to eliminate threats and avoid any loss of lives for law officials.
Sure, its idea is ingenious and could probably help in preserving the life of the uniformed officers, but it does not necessarily save lives, especially for criminals or casualties around.
One robotics company already swore off using its robots for these kinds of applications, aiming to change the track of their mechanical innovations to do more good than harm. That company is Boston Dynamics, which previously canceled its "RoboCop-inspired" innovation and avoid the weaponization of its creations.
It is important to uphold the safety of all, and even criminals have the right to live, face trial, and get served for their crimes in a court of law, not immediately getting eliminated on the battlefield. Nevertheless, police officers may carry a daily risk to protect the law, but they too need protection from dangerous criminals, hence this latest proposition by the San Francisco PD.
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Written by Isaiah Richard
