Robotic Police Systems: A New Era of Security at Singapore's Changi Airport

While not exactly Robocop, police in Singapore have recently deployed two robotic police systems to help patrol the main international airport, offering additional eyes to police and improving situational awareness. What challenges do police face when patrolling busy areas, what features do the new robots introduce, and does the deployment of robotic police introduce dangers?

The robots operate in conjunction with frontline officers from the Singapore Police Force, providing an extra layer of surveillance on the ground.

What challenges do police face when patrolling busy areas?

The role police officers play in modern society is a crucial one; providing law and order, responding to dangerous situations, and protecting the innocent. But as societies grow in size and public areas become more crowded, trying to identify wanted criminals, potential crimes, and suspicious individuals becomes increasingly more challenging. 

However, just as technology has improved every single industry that it touches, modern policing has seen massive improvements thanks to the integration of technology. Cameras are able to record criminal acts and monitor large areas, while advanced AI can be used to profile every single face in a crowd and identify those who may have outstanding warrants. Furthermore, the use of drones is proving to be valuable in chasing down suspects, while advanced imaging technology such as IR cameras can be used to find hiding criminals, even in the middle of the night.

And yet, despite all of these advances, police officers still struggle with day-to-day patrols, especially in busy airports where thousands of people arrive and depart every single hour. If, for example, one patrol unit is dealing with an incident, criminals may take advantage of this and commit crimes elsewhere.

Another situation where police officers can struggle is in identifying who was involved in a crime. While the human brain is a remarkable thing, it is still prone to errors, and it may be difficult for an officer to recall all the details of a suspect. Worse, in particularly crowded areas, body-worn cameras may struggle to see over crowds, thereby providing little evidence against those who are able to run from the scene of a crime.

Finally, patrolling busy areas requires manpower, and that is not something that police units can always accommodate. In such instances, police can take time to respond to incidences, thereby increasing the likelihood of damage to property, injury or loss of life.

Singapore Airport introduces robotic police

Recognising the challenges faced by police units, Changi Airport, Singapore (in conjunction with the police) has recently launched two robotic police systems that can patrol the airport alongside other police units. The idea behind the new robotic systems is not just to aid police when responding to situations but also to project police presence, something which can deter criminal activity. ^[1]

The deployed robots utilise wheels driven by electric motors, which simplifies their construction, and can extend in height to well over 7 feet, allowing them to tower over crowds. Furthermore, these robots are also able to enforce cordons and warn bystanders, giving them the ability to intimidate those trying to bypass police controls.^[1]

With an array of cameras, the robots are also able to identify suspicious activity and individuals, alerting police to intervene. Finally, the integration of a help button allows anyone to ask for assistance from police officers in a control room.^[1]

According to superintendent and operations head Lim Ke Wei of airport police, 'The integration of robotics enhances the operational efficiency and capabilities of our frontline officers, enabling them to be more effective in their duties' (CNN). This expert insight underscores the value of robotic police systems in augmenting human law enforcement efforts.^[1]

Does the deployment of robotic police introduce dangers?

The introduction of robotic platforms into police forces present some major advantages, including the reduced risk of injury to police officers during patrol, improved situational awareness, and even the ability to increase police presence massively. Furthermore, robotic systems can be tied to AI platforms that automatically recognise wanted criminals, monitor suspicious activity, and even predict where crime may take place. But for all of these advantages, there are some major concerns that could make robotic police platforms dangerous.^[2]

Lack of Human Judgment

One of the primary concerns regarding robotic police is their inherent inability to exercise human judgment. Law enforcement officers often rely on their experience, intuition, and empathy when making critical decisions, but autonomous robotic police would operate solely based on pre-programmed algorithms, lacking the ability to understand complex human emotions or evaluate unique situations. This limitation may lead to inaccurate assessments and inappropriate responses, potentially escalating conflicts instead of resolving them peacefully.^[2]

Ethical Considerations

The use of robotic police also raises significant ethical questions. For example, who should be held accountable if a robot causes harm or violates an individual's rights? Can a robot truly discern between right and wrong? Without clear guidelines and oversight, the potential for abuse and misuse of power by these machines becomes a genuine concern. Additionally, robots lack the ability to exercise discretion in enforcing laws, potentially leading to a rigid and indiscriminate application of justice.^[2]

Bias and Discrimination

As robotic police systems heavily rely on data-driven algorithms, any biases in training data will result in those biases manifesting during operation. If these algorithms are not carefully designed and regularly audited, they may perpetuate and amplify existing biases in society, such as racial profiling or socioeconomic discrimination. This could exacerbate social tensions and erode trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.^[2]

However, it's worth noting that these concerns are not universal. Some, like American traveller Samwell Swant, find the presence of robotic police intriguing and even reassuring. 'It was certainly a sight – like something out of a movie or Black Mirror,' Swant told CNN. 'It was hard not to notice.' This highlights the varied public reactions to the deployment of robotic police systems.^[1]

Privacy and Surveillance

Robotic police systems are equipped with sophisticated surveillance technologies, including facial recognition and video monitoring capabilities. While these tools can be effective in solving crimes, they also raise significant concerns regarding privacy rights. The widespread use of robotic police could result in constant monitoring of citizens' movements, eroding personal freedoms and creating a pervasive surveillance state.^[2]

Overall, robotic police platforms present numerous opportunities in the field of law enforcement, but great caution must be exercised when deploying such systems. If the police abuse such technologies, it is likely that not only will public trust in the police be harmed, but they could see a massive backlash from the public over advanced technologies.^[2]

References

1. "Police robots deployed at Singapore's Changi Airport" (2023, June 18. CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/2023/06/18/asia/police-robots-singapore-security-intl-hnk/index.html
2. Calo, R. (2023). "Policing Police Robots". UCLA Law Review. https://www.uclalawreview.org/policing-police-robots/