Would you patrol with Arnie?

Breaking news in the world of police tech: the company International Dynamic Intelligence and Operational Technology Solutions has taken the phrase “assisted patrol” to a whole new level by unveiling the first-ever artificial intelligence robot made to act alone on patrol in partnership with flesh and bone police men and women.

Though the company claims it is not meant to “replace” but “assist” law enforcement professionals, it remains to be seen in what capacity patrol officers will embrace the new Police Officer Android Rover (ARLEPOAR) … “Arnie,” the nonhuman enforcer. At first glance I am skeptical any AI configuration can be as autonomous as the real deal. But let’s think about it this way: How many rudimentary tasks have you already outsourced to artificial intel and are now accomplishing faster, smarter and with diminished error/threat to the team? SWAT has grown accustomed to tossing modest-sized robots into a room or alley to gain intel without putting themselves at risk. Body cameras have become reliable “eyes” and “ears”.

So I can’t help but wonder—what will be Arnie’s specialty? Reports say he is on way to training now. Perhaps he will be adept at moving in (strolling in? rolling in?) on underage drinking parties. He will pull up student records in a flash. Imagine his 100 percent immunity to both juvenile insults and (I would imagine) hazardous fluids. He would spit out tickets faster than a skeeball machine at Chucky Cheese. He would finish up the paper work in mere minutes, and collect pristine audio/visual data to present in the courtroom later.

I could see Arnie pulling festival detail—handing out baseball cards and scanning the crowd for suspicious persons/unattended bags/double-parked cars.

I do however have lingering questions. Can Arnie drive? Will Arnie be armed? What happens when Arnie is eventually investigated for behavior unbecoming of a droid officer?

Welcome to the dawn of a new era in police-community relations. Perhaps soon you will have the ability to leave the real crap shifts and sticky situations to your heartless, non-breathing patrol partner who is not restricted by human confines such as hunger or critical thinking. Until then, business as usual.