Hutchinson OKs tactical robot for police to handle high-risk incidents

The Hutchinson City Council voted Jan. 27 to approve the Hutchinson Police Department's purchase of a tactical robot intended for use in high-risk incidents. The police chief told the council the department had considered drones but decided a robot better fit local needs because McLeod County operates a drone fleet the city can access.

The chief described the unit's capabilities: mounted cameras and manipulators that can enter a location and perform tasks such as opening unlocked doors, scanning rooms before officers enter, and manipulating objects (for example, attempting to deflate tires). He said the device is compact (roughly 2 feet by 4 feet at the base with a mast up to about 3 feet) and can traverse stairs "but it's not foolproof." Training for operators is included in the purchase price, and staff expect to train three to four primary operators while ensuring general staff familiarity.

Councilmembers asked about mutual aid and whether the fire department might use the device; the chief said he could not imagine many firefighting applications but would authorize use if useful. Cost figures were not read aloud in a single line item during the discussion; staff said the selected robot offered capabilities needed for the tactical team and was the more cost-effective option compared with alternative proposals.

Council approved the purchase by voice vote. Staff said they will identify primary operators, schedule manufacturer-provided training and add the equipment to department procedures. The purchase is intended to reduce risk to officers by using technology to perform reconnaissance and manipulation in hazardous settings before officers enter.