Robocop In Worcester? Police Pursue Robot For Critical Incidents

WORCESTER, MA — Worcester police may soon add a robot to the department's arsenal.

Interim Chief Paul Saucier in a report to the city council this week said the department has participated in demonstrations of robots following a standoff in July along Colby Avenue. Worcester police borrowed a robot from another department during that incident to observe and communicate with Caleb Boateng, who was arrested and charged after the 13-hour standoff on July 7.

"The use of the robot, that was requested through mutual aid, was immensely critical in preserving life and bringing the incident to a successful conclusion. Any time a robot can be inserted into a dangerous environment and replace the need of a human being, the value cannot be understated," Saucier wrote in a report to councilors.

Since July 7, Worcester police have participated in two demonstrations with robots in pursuit of possibly buying one. Saucier estimated the cost of buying one at around $100,000.

"The price and features vary but a tentative quote with the capabilities and functionality needed, cost approximately 100,000. At this time, grant opportunities have not been explored, yet," Saucier wrote.

An overview of how Worcester police could use a robot was initially requested by At-Large Councilor Kate Toomey at the July 18 council meeting and later approved on Aug. 22. Toomey's request specified that robots could help police identify the amounts of weapons and ammunition people involved in future standoffs might have. Saucier also outlined in his memo the fire department could use the robot.

A Worcester police robot would complement several other recent technological upgrades, including the purchase of two drones in 2022 with a state grant, police bodycams and Taser weapons and an upgrade of the city's ShotSpotter program to include the software ShotSpotter Connect, which provides data on where officers should spend their time.

Saucier's memo did not specify what types of robots the department has viewed, but departments across the world have used robotic devices for years for situations involving bombs and hostages.

Massachusetts State Police acquired a Boston Dynamics robot called "Spot" that hit the market in 2020 at a cost of about $75,000. Boston police use a TALON robot mounted on treads for bomb situations. The company Knightscope makes a patrol robot that departments can rent for up to $70,000 per year. The New York City Police Department will use them to patrol subways.

Dallas police were thought to be the first department to use a robot to kill someone during a 2016 standoff. The department attached an explosive to a bomb-detecting robot and detonated near a man who opened fire on police. Officials in San Francisco last year pursued a policy change specifically to allow the police department's robots to use deadly force.