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BACKGROUND During critical incidents, high-risk warrant service and when suspects barricade themselves in a structure, police personnel are responsible for searching and apprehending the suspect. These high-risk searches benefit from law enforcement technology, such as tactical robots, to make searches safer for all parties involved. The Police Department requests authorization to apply for a grant to purchase a tactical robot for use in a non-weaponized manner. Tactical robots are equipped with cameras and articulating arms capable of manipulating door handles and opening unlocked doors. They include two-way communication to see, hear and speak with suspects. The use of robots minimizes the need for officers to enter rooms before seeing inside, which reduces the likelihood of armed encounters with suspects. The Police Department currently uses small tactical robots, although these do not have the ability to open doors and struggle to climb stairs or traverse uneven terrain. DISCUSSION In May 2022, police personnel responded to a barricaded suspect in Pleasanton who fired numerous shots from a rifle. Police officers requested robots from the Alameda County Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit to help search for the suspect. The robots proved highly effective in locating and communicating with the suspect who was safely apprehended. Having directly experienced the value of a such a robot, police response to such incidents would benefit from having this resource immediately available when needed rather than relying on allied agencies' support as they may have extended response times or be unavailable. If purchased, the robot would be deployed with the East County Tactical Team and available to the communities of Pleasanton and Livermore. Staff researched several tactical robots and found that a reliable robot with the ability to push and pull open interior doors with an articulating arm is $108,646. The Police Department identified potential funding from the State Homeland Security Grant Program which awards grants to law enforcement agencies for homeland security related acquisitions. The City Council's recommended action based on this report authorizes the grant application and not the purchase of the robot. The grant application deadline is December 23, 2022. If the grant is approved, staff would not purchase the robot until January 2024 when grant funds become available. Staff will update the AB481 equipment list should the robot be approved for purchase. Submitted by: Fiscal Review: Approved by: ; ! � David Swing Susan Hsieh Gerry Beaudin Chief of Police Director of Finance City Manager Page 2 of 2