The death of Dallas shooter Micah Xavier Johnson is raising some questions regarding law enforcement use of a remote robot with a bomb. For the first time in US history, a robot was used to kill a US citizen on American soil without trial. Dallas police have maintained that they had no choice since Johnson was still shooting at officers and making threats about hidden bombs throughout the area. Illustrating the danger of this point was graphic video footage of Dallas Police Officer Brent Thompson, 43, shot dead as he singlehandedly tried to take down Johnson. The police have not yet released the audio or transcript of the words of Micah Johnson other than saying that he intended to kill White cops and was fueled by militant Black ideologies. Johnson was a US Army veteran who served six years including a tour in Afghanistan. He was given an “other than honorable discharge” in 2014 over sexual harassment violations in a case that was called highly unusual. Bradford Glendening, the military lawyer who represented him, is quoted in a recent media interview stating, “In his case, it was apparently so egregious, it was not just the act itself, I’m sure that this guy was the black sheep of his unit.” Trial records indicated that the victim requested that Johnson receive “mental help” for his actions and manner. A protective order was issued against Johnson to keep him away from the victim and her family. His parents stated in a recent media interview that he loved the military and wanted a career in law enforcement; however, the Army “changed” him in some way.
The use of a robot to kill Johnson seems to further the argument to many that America’s police force is over militarized. A decision was made to arm that robot with an explosive rather than a chemical weapon. But does this over-militarization extend not just to equipment but also to mentality and ethical questions over use of force? Unrest in Ferguson, Missouri over the death of unarmed Black teen Mike Brown exposed the level of military style force that was ready to be unleashed on Black residents in the city. Calling into question the government program 1033 that allows local law enforcement to receive surplus military equipment without restrictions, military weapons manufacturer Northrop-Grumman told media that in 2015 an estimated 1,100 remote robots were distributed across the country. The public must ask of their civic leaders when and if such a deadly tactic should ever be used by police.
