San Francisco police robots are not yet allowed to use lethal force.
The city’s Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to suspend a controversial policy allowing police to deploy lethal, remote-controlled robots in emergency situations. This was reported by SF Gate.
An 8-3 reverse vote does not officially end the policy. The ordinance will be referred back to the city’s rules committee for amendments.
Five councilors have reversed their decision to arm the existing police force with explosives after facing serious opposition from across the country. Protesters gathered on the steps of City Hall on Monday to stop police from entering the “robot killers.” This was reported by the San Francisco Standard.
The proposal would allow the police department to use its 17 robots during arrests, serious incidents, warrant execution and “suspicious device evaluations,” according to the draft policy.
Before approving the policy last week, council members amended it to specify that only high-ranking officers would be authorized to administer the lethal force option of the robots, and that the robots would be used only after police officers tried to use alternative force or other de-escalation tactics. .
Protesters gathered on the steps of City Hall on Monday to denounce the policy.
Five board supervisors rescinded their votes a week after approving the policy.
Superintendent Gordon Marr changed his mind, thinking the policy might set a precedent for the country.
“Even with the added hurdles, I’m increasingly uncomfortable with the precedent we’ve set for other cities without a strong commitment to our voice and police accountability.” board member Gordon Marr, tweeted one supervisor who changed his tune on Tuesday.
“I don’t see making state violence longer, longer, and less humane a step forward.”
As the city continues to review the controversial policy, supervisors have allowed police to use unarmed robots to investigate potentially dangerous situations instead of sending in their own men. According to Click Orlando.
“Having robots that have eyes and ears and defuse the occasional bomb is what we want to do as a police department as we continue this very controversial discussion,” said Supervisor Aaron Peskin.
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