San Francisco allows police to use ‘killer robots’

The San Francisco Supervisory Commission in California received a request from the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) to authorize the deployment of ‘killer robots’ that could kill on the 29th of last month (local time).

This will allow the SFPD to use robots loaded with explosives in case of an emergency.

However, Dr Catherine Connolly of Stop Killer Robots, an opposition group, spoke out as a “dangerous slope” that weakens human responsibility for murder.

In an interview with the BBC, the SFPD said it is not currently operating robots with lethal weapons, but leaves open the possibility of future scenarios using lethal robots.

“The robots may have explosives to destroy structures that contain violent, armed or dangerous objects,” said an SFPD spokesperson.

He also said the robots could be used to “subdue or disrupt violent, armed and dangerous individuals who threaten the lives of others.”

Proponents of the bill argue that robots will only be used in emergencies.

But opponents voice that it could lead to further militarization of the police.

The amendments passed state that the police can use robots to clear criminals or structures after trying alternative tactics to defuse the situation. The supervisory board also noted that only a limited number of senior police officers could authorize the use of robots.

Meanwhile, in other parts of the United States, these types of robots with lethal capabilities are already in use.

In 2016, Dallas, Texas police officers used a robot armed with C-4 explosives to kill two officers and shoot a sniper who injured several others.

While they don’t currently have robots with lethal killing capabilities, the SFPD says they may need them in the future.

A spokesman for the SFPD said: “There is no legislation that foresees all the circumstances that officers may face, especially exceptional circumstances. Therefore, the SFPD must be prepared and able to respond appropriately.”

The federal government has long provided military equipment, camouflage uniforms, bayonets and vehicles to local police. But this year, California passed a law that allows city police to list and get approval to use the military equipment they need.

Connolly, meanwhile, warned that “these measures could increasingly weaken human responsibility for the use of force and its consequences,” and “could lead to the easy decision to use lethal force in the first place.”