So here's a nice story. A robot got shot instead of the cops or the perp. Robot police dog shot multiple times credited with avoiding bloodshed (msn.com) Basically a perp shot at the police, they used a remote control bomb disposal robot to search the house, find where the perp went, and arrest him. I mean, I hope its a nice story. This sounds like he shot at cops, then the cops sent a robot into the house and used it to flush him out and caught him without any bloodshed. But its written in such a way that it could be they sent a robot into his house and then he 'shot at the police robot'. So, what exactly is the charge for shooting a police robot in your house? Obviously unlawful discharge of a firearm and destruction of property... but hopefully not 'assaulting a police officer' or 'attempted murder' like it is with police dogs. On the surface I think using robots like this is great. But I see it being very easily abused. I mean, the police still need either probable cause or a warrant to send a robot into someone house, right? In this case, assuming there was shots fired prior to the robot being sent in, that is certainly probable cause. Suppose in the case of searching for drugs or something. A warrant is needed. Do they tape the warrant to the robot so any occupants they encounter can be assured the cops are there in a legal and lawful manner? If the robot does not provide a warrant, is it a crime to remove or disable the suspicious robot in your home? I think its great if more robots get shot and less people. But I also think there's some important aspects to law enforcement being a dangerous profession that help reduce abuse of authority. For example, most people agree that 'no-knock' police raids at 3am are an abuse of authority and cops shouldn't be doing that. But it only became an issue the state would address after several instances of cops getting shot by people (sometimes the wrong people at the wrong address) who thought they were in the midst of a violent home invasion by criminals (a reasonable response). If it had just been robots that were shot, I don't think the authorities would have rethought whether busting into folks houses unannounced at 3am was anything to worry about. Whadya think about police robots?
The police dog thing pisses me off so much. If some vicious dog, police or not, comes biting me you better believe I'm going to try to kill it or at least gauge its eyes out. I grew up with dogs... but I have no tolerance for aggression from them. Police dogs are more like tamed monsters than pets or "officers." Police robots are a great thing when practical, and increasing technology makes it more practical. The only condition I'd place on it is no (intentional) lethal force to defend itself. That part can be complicated, since subduing a struggling person can accidentally become lethal. But provided the robot is less likely to kill them than a cop in the same situation, it's a win. Though I have to admit the dynamics are complicated. Perhaps like my reaction to a police dog is different, in fact the opposite, of my reaction to a real police officer, maybe people would fight more against robots.
Prison if you are white, a statue erected in your name if you are black (because of robotic dog induced OPPRESSION of course)
I am all for keeping law enforcement out of harms way. Robot dogs with sleep gas can save many lives.
If its just a robot that rolls around the corner into my bedroom, yes, its getting fought. If its a robot with a speaker on it, and a human voice coming through the speaker saying something like 'this is the police. a violent crime was reported in your home...' and I can see flashing lights outside, I'm more likely to inquire further rather than just start playing battlebots with a fire axe.
