Tuesday to specify that officers could use
Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2025 5:13 am
Opponents said the authority would lead to the further militarization of a police force already too aggressive with poor and minority communities.
According to CBS San Francisco, at the start of the meeting, Supervisor Aaron Peskin acknowledged the controversy, saying the robots "speak to fears about a dystopian robot killing future."
"I understand the concern and fear that that can evoke in our society," Peskin said.
Supervisor Connie Chan, a member of the committee that forwarded the proposal to the full board, said she understood concerns over use of force but that "according to state law, we are required to approve the use of these equipments. So here we are, and it's definitely not a easy discussion."
The San Francisco Police Department said it does not have pre-armed telegram database robots and has no plans to arm robots with guns. But 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.
"Robots equipped in this manner would only be used in extreme circumstances to save or prevent further loss of innocent lives," she said.
Supervisors amended the proposal robots only after using alternative force or de-escalation tactics, or after 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 is not a warzone, and these kinds of devices are not needed to protect this city," said Supervisor Dean Preston, who was one of three supervisors who voted against the proposal, per CBS San Francisco.
According to CBS San Francisco, at the start of the meeting, Supervisor Aaron Peskin acknowledged the controversy, saying the robots "speak to fears about a dystopian robot killing future."
"I understand the concern and fear that that can evoke in our society," Peskin said.
Supervisor Connie Chan, a member of the committee that forwarded the proposal to the full board, said she understood concerns over use of force but that "according to state law, we are required to approve the use of these equipments. So here we are, and it's definitely not a easy discussion."
The San Francisco Police Department said it does not have pre-armed telegram database robots and has no plans to arm robots with guns. But 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.
"Robots equipped in this manner would only be used in extreme circumstances to save or prevent further loss of innocent lives," she said.
Supervisors amended the proposal robots only after using alternative force or de-escalation tactics, or after 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 is not a warzone, and these kinds of devices are not needed to protect this city," said Supervisor Dean Preston, who was one of three supervisors who voted against the proposal, per CBS San Francisco.