Homeland Security grant provides state-of-the-art robot

In the movie “Star Wars” Luke Skywalker had the services of a robot, or android, called R2D2 to help him face dangers from Darth Vader and the Empire. However, in the real world deputies do not have the luxury of an android to check out the dangers that lie ahead. Instead, they use instinct and training to sum up a situation that could be life threatening.

Those days may be changing for local law enforcement officers.

On June 30 the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office took possession of their version of R2D2–a brand new $250,000 Remotec robot, which will help deputies face the unknowns of suspicious packages or dangers criminals might impose.

Law enforcement’s new tool comes thanks to a grant from Homeland Security’s Local Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention division. The grant paid the entire cost of the state-of-the-art robot, which will be made available to law enforcement agencies in Pinal, Gila, Graham and Greenlee Counties.

“This will definitely help make all of us safer,” said Pinal County Sheriff Chris Vasquez as he viewed the robot in action. He pointed out that the robot can be used for a variety of situations deputies may face on a daily basis. From hostage situations to bomb threats Vasquez predicted the robot will help them in critical situations where time and safety are a factor.

When asked how the sheriff’s office handled suspicious packages in the past, Vasquez responded, “We have a highly trained bomb technician walk up to the package and examine it.” Then in a somber tone, he added, “This will give us opportunities not to put people in jeopardy.”

In 2006 Eloy Police Chief Bill Pitman submitted the paperwork to secure a grant to purchase the robot to assist in bomb threats and terrorist-related activities. Pittman said the robot would play a huge role in keeping the residents in the eastern portion of the state safe from the possibility of a terrorist act.

“Despite our location as a rural area,” he said, “we have a lot of infrastructure to protect. This robot will help us do that.”

Since taking possession of the robot, six members of the Pinal County Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team have been trained in its operation.

“We’ve had two days of serious training, but the robot requires a lot of practice to be able use it effectively,” said Deputy Ben Cook.

While demonstrating the uses of the robot, Pinal County SWAT Commander S.G. Gillen said the robot is the best unit of its type available to local law enforcement.

“The older ones would tip over and run out of power,” Sgt.Gillen said. “These new, updated models offer much more capability.”

The new robot has four cameras attached to the unit, which offers a wide view of the area it enters. The cameras also have infrared capability to allow the deputies operating the machine to see in dark or low visibility situations.

In addition to the cameras, the robot also has a microphone and speaker available to allow communication between the officers and a criminal.

Equipped with a large claw that has a squeeze pressure of up to 100 pounds, the robot also has appendages that allow it to carry anything from a saw to a shotgun, depending on the situation deputies face while using it.

“This technology is amazing,” Vasquez said while examining the robot. “I think anything that will help take our deputies out of harm’s way and protect the public is worth any amount of money.” He then paused and said with a smile: “Considering this is free for the county makes it a win for everyone.”