They say that the age of modern technology leaves very little privacy to those who live in advanced countries. That is growing more true each day now that cameras are everywhere, even drones flying overhead. If a pro-Trump Congressman gets his way, they would also be equipped with tasers.
Police Drones with Tasers
Republican Representative Troy Edwin Nehls has a few ideas when it comes to law enforcement, and it involves drones having the ability to incapacitate anyone. Just this Thursday, the Congressman had the idea of adding tasers to the proposed use of drones by the NYPD.
For context, the New York Police Department intends to start using drones to respond to 911 calls in a new program. Intrigued by the idea, the politician said that "Drones are absolutely a wonderful way," and that he thinks it "saves lives," as per Gizmodo.
"I'll even take it to the next step and say eventually we should put non-lethal on drones. Use one to tase somebody," he expressed during the hearing. If you watched the video, your eyes are not playing tricks. He actually is wearing a tie with former US President Donald Trump's face.
This might just be a possibility. NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry already confirmed that the department has 85 drones in its fleet, and will soon deploy them to respond to 911 calls.
It's unclear what kind of emergencies the drones are fit to respond to given the limited capacity of small aerial vehicles, but maybe equipping the drones with tasers isn't the best way to add functionality for responding to hostile situations.
The aerial technology will be used in five New York precincts, three of which are in Brooklyn, one in the Bronx, and one in Central Park. Drones have already seen an uptick in use since 2022, with a 420% increase in the following year. And yes, the number joke is not lost on us.
If taser drones are to be developed, the NYPD might have difficulties finding manufacturers that would do it. Maker of taser products, Axon already had the same idea, but the development was later shut down after many of its ethics board members protested the design by resigning.
The Deployment of Police Drones
Coming close to the definition of an eye in the sky, with the police advertising them as first responders. However, this might raise concerns from citizens who are not exactly too happy about being under constant surveillance.
The American Civil Liberties Union has already pointed out how drones can be used to target poor and marginalized communities, as reported by The Guardian. Even certain military officials acknowledge how drones might not be the right response for certain situations.
Amnesty International UK Military, Security, and Policing Director Oliver Feeley-Sprague said: "Drones should not be used in frontline policing until clear safeguards are in place to specify exactly how and where drones can be used and robust controls are in place."
