San Francisco City Council votes on policy authorizing remotely controlled police robots with lethal capability
In a Tuesday session, the San Francisco City Council advanced a controversial measure granting police the authority to deploy remotely operated robots that could be equipped to use lethal force in certain emergencies. The decision passed with eight council members voting in favor and one voting against, reflecting a narrow majority amid strong objections from civil liberties advocates and other groups concerned about police surveillance and accountability. The Hill reported on the vote and the surrounding debate.
Police leaders argued that the ability to deploy robots with lethal potential would be necessary in extremely rare scenarios involving violent suspects, including cases that resemble suicide attacks. A San Francisco Police spokesperson noted that robots configured for such use would be reserved for dire circumstances and aimed at saving lives or preventing further harm to bystanders. Critics, meanwhile, warned that this approach risks expanding state power in ways that could disproportionately affect marginalized communities and raise civil liberties concerns. Advocates for greater transparency stressed the need for clear limitations, oversight, and public dialogue to accompany any such policy change.
Currently, San Francisco Police operate about a dozen ground robots designed to assess dangerous devices and provide visual capability in low-visibility environments. Officials indicated that these units were purchased between 2010 and 2017 and have not been used to detonate explosives thus far. Officers stressed that the existing fleet is capable of supporting a range of operations, including surveillance, reconnaissance during high-risk incidents, and tasking related to court orders for the evaluation of suspicious devices. The department emphasized that any future deployment of lethal-armed robots would be tightly regulated and subject to supervisory review to minimize risk and protect civilian safety.