Shoeleather Journalism in the Digital Age

Shoeleather Journalism
in the Digital Age

Phoenix Police Department deploys four-legged robot ‘Spot’ to special assignments unit

The robot coined, ‘Spot’ will be deployed part of the special assignments unit is a tactical unit that has a variety of capabilities including high-risk apprehensions, high-risk search warrants, hostage rescue and barricades, Phoenix police officials say. (Video: City of Phoenix/DigitalFreePress)
Staff Reports | Digital Free Press

The Phoenix Police Department recently purchased a four-legged, agile mobile robot coined, ‘Spot’ officials there say will be used as a new tool for the special assignments unit.

“We have lots of different pieces of technology,” said SAU Sergeant Marcus Allen, in a prepared statement.

“Each one of them is very good at something, but not necessarily good at everything. When we started to look at the gaps that we had in some of our technology and some things that we needed to be able to overcome, the robot dog was one of the things that kept rising to the top.”

The Phoenix Police Department is the first agency in the Valley to purchase a robot dog, but other major cities around the country and federal agencies have already deployed this tool.

The special assignments unit is a tactical unit that has a variety of capabilities including high-risk apprehensions, high-risk search warrants, hostage rescue and barricades, Phoenix police officials say.

Phoenix police officials report Spot comes with preprogramed capabilities including identifying types of door handles and how to open them, but the dog is operated by a trained officer in the special vehicles detail.

“SAU is always looking to innovate, always looking for ways to advance our technology, always looking for ways to, get better at what we do, whether it be digital technology or vehicle safety or any other aspect,” Sgt. Allen said.

Looking forward, SAU hopes to add some additional features to the dog. Spot can be equipped with radiation detection. The dog can be sent into an area with hazardous conditions and feedback information about what contaminant is in the air.

Another feature the unit is looking into for the future is its mesh technology. It has the ability to boost the communications among the team if they are in an area where cellphones and/or radios are not working.

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