San Francisco’s robot dogs won’t be equipped with guns after all. They may have explosives instead

The other day we saw news reports of San Francisco police being given authorization to deploy killer robot dogs. The city’s board of supervisors voted 8-3 in favor of the motion despite heated debates about safety and potential abuse.

The police denied claims that they will arm their robot dogs with guns but according to AP, they could be armed with explosives. How is that any better? 

the department could deploy robots equipped with explosive charges “to contact, incapacitate, or disorient violent, armed, or dangerous suspect” when lives are at stake, SFPD spokesperson Allison Maxie said in a statement.

At least they said the use will be limited to extreme situations and require authorization from high ranking officers.  We know how restraint police officers of all ranks can be in the United States, don’t we?

Supervisors amended the proposal Tuesday to specify that officers could use robots only after using alternative force or de-escalation tactics, or concluding they would not be able to subdue the suspect through those alternative means. Only a limited number of high-ranking officers could authorize use of robots as a deadly force option.

San Francisco’s authorities can’t seem to restrain themselves from being swept  along by the American trend of increased militarization of their law enforcement forces. From military grade weapons, armor, vehicles, and now exploding robot dogs.

Meanwhile across the bay in Oakland, the city’s police department backed down from a similar proposal after a massive public backlash.

That Black Mirror episode, Metalhead, from season 4, immediately comes to mind.