SF police could use robots, Washington approves criminal code overhaul

Two cities on opposite coasts have differing policies in their fights against crime. San Francisco and Washington, D.C. have been exploring new ways to apply deadly force with robots and reduce punishments for carjackings and certain gun crimes.

The San Francisco Police Department Police Department drafted a policy that would allow specially trained officers to use deadly force with robots. According to the plan, the robots will be used only in limited circumstances including criminal apprehensions, critical incidents, executing a warrant or during suspicious device assessments. The use of deadly force will be used only, “when risk of loss of life to members of the public or officers is imminent and outweighs any other force option available to SFPD.”

The department is writing the policy to fall in line with a California law that requires departments to get their plans approved before receiving funds for, using or obtaining this type of equipment.

In Washington, D.C., the city council approved a complete overhaul of its criminal code. The comprehensive 536-page bill received unanimous support from the city council.

“It really will do a lot to modernize, standardize our code, which will make things more standard and fair both for prosecution and for defense,” Councilwoman Brooke Pinto, D, said.

A number of penalty reductions for gun-related crimes and carjackings received some pushback, and Mayor Muriel Bowser, D, has not ruled out vetoing the measure. Councilwoman Pinto proposed an amendment to increase some of the penalties. They were being decreased from four to two years under the bill. The law’s current version eliminates mandatory minimums and the overall sentences will be reduced.

“This is not the time to loosen penalties for gun possession. Yes, let’s eliminate mandatory minimums, but let’s not impose this artificial ceiling that will reduce the punishment for these gun offenses,” Councilwoman Mary Cheh, D, said. 

“We acknowledge that gun possession without the use of that gun is not as dangerous or harmful as when that gun is used to frighten, threaten, hurt or god-forbid kill someone. It’s a fundamental principle of the RCCA [Revised Criminal Code Act] that penalties should increase based on the harm committed,” Councilman Charles Allen, D, said.

Even if Mayor Bowser signs the bill, it still needs to be approved by the U.S. Congress because D.C. is a federal district.