This ” option “, which must still be definitively validated, would only be used in very specific situations, such as terrorist attacks and mass killings, indicates the Californian city. But the controversy is on.
The San Francisco City Council voted in favor, Tuesday, November 29, by eight votes to three, for the adoption of a resolution providing for the use by law enforcement of robots capable of killing in certain extreme cases. , such as terrorist attacks or mass killings, which are very common in the United States.
This decision, which must still be definitively adopted during a municipal council scheduled for December 6, according to the New York Times, feeds an intense controversy. Opponents fear it will lead to increased police brutality and a future fit for movies terminator.
This possibility is already a reality, recalls the American daily. In 2016, the Dallas, Texas police killed a man suspected of killing five police officers by detonating him with a bomb attached to a robot. This was the first lethal use of this technology by US police.
Place explosives or incapacitate a suspect who threatens to kill
” Using robots in potentially deadly situations is an option of last resort San Francisco Police Chief William Scott said in a statement. ” We live in a time when mass violence is becoming more frequent “, he insisted. “ We need this option to save lives, in case this kind of tragedy happens in our city. »
Example mentioned by David Lazar in the New York Times 2017 Las Vegas building shooting in which 60 people were killed, the deadliest mass shooting in American history.
Only senior police officers could issue orders to use a robot to kill, the statement said.
The San Francisco police currently have several robots, which they can control remotely and which are used “ during bomb threats, hazardous materials and other incidents where the police must keep their distance before securing the scene “, According to the press release.
The new measure would allow these robots to be used to place a ” explosive charge ” able to ” incapacitate or disorient an armed or dangerous violent suspect who threatens to take lives “, according to the police. ” Robots equipped in this way would only be used to save innocent lives “, hammered the police.
” A horrible policy »
” It’s a horrible policy and the exact opposite of how the police should use robots. “Reacted on Twitter Paul Scharre, vice president of the Center for a New American Security, a Washington-based think tank. ” The advantage of robots is to create more distance between law enforcement and a threat, precisely so that it does not need to resort to lethal force. “, he added, pointing out that the police can use many means to neutralize an assailant without killing him – tasers, stun grenades, tear gas, etc.
San Francisco just authorized their police department to use robots for lethal force.
It’s a terrible policy and the exact opposite of what police should be using robots for. [THREAD]https://t.co/j3nColboTy
— Paul Scharre (@paul_scharre) November 30, 2022
For him, San Francisco’s decision, which is likely to be followed by other cities, ” is a new example of the militarization of American police “, he denounced.
If passed by the city council of the Californian city, this measure will then have to be signed by the mayor of the city, London Breed. But this Democrat has already expressed support for the proposal.
(with AFP)