Lee County's SWAT team has found its newest recruit.
The area's tactical unit, which stands as a joint effort by the Auburn Police Department, the Opelika Police Department and the Lee County Sherriff's Office, has acquired a surveillance robot for $17,939.
This additional could prove the difference between successfully negotiating with a barricaded subject and putting officers' lives in harm's way.
The robot was purchased from RoboteX Inc. based in Palo Alto, Calif., after a month-long sales process. Most of the expenses were covered by a federal grant, while the APD, OPD and LCSO split the remainder.
"We had been looking over the past few years for a tactical robot that can be used by our county-wide tactical team," said Lt. Will Mathews of the APD. "We had searched out for some grant funds that could be used for the purchase of that type of hardware.
"(RoboteX was) one of the companies that came and did a demonstration for us. We were very impressed with their product."
The robot, RoboteX's Avatar II model, was purchased as a basic surveillance platform, and features a color camera with pan, tilt and zoom functions, 360-degree articulation and an infrared setting.
It also has two-way audio capabilities, so operators can speak to subjects within an area and hear back from them.
Matt Speakman, an account manager with RoboteX, worked closely with local officers since last September to make the sale possible.
"(The robot is) tough enough to take a fall," Speakman said of the 25-pound Avatar II. "You can throw this thing through a window. If it lands upside down you can flip it up using the handheld controller. It's really rugged. It can go up and down stairs easily.
"They were sold on the Avatar II pretty much immediately. From there it's just a question of getting the decision-makers on board and convincing the people that are controlling the money that this is where they want it allocated."
The robot was ordered soon after a Justice Assistance Grant provided $15,420 of federal money to assist in the purchase. After that, the remaining $2,519.55 was split between the three departments, culminating in a total price of $17,939.55.
The Auburn City Council approved the spending during a May 10 city council meeting.
"When it comes down to it, the City Council has always been very supportive of public safety," Auburn City Manager Charlie Duggan said. "They know that our police officers don't ask for frivolous things."
The robot can be upgraded in the future, with features such as an articulating arm to open doors, or a function to unleash non-lethal gas whenever officers determine an upgrade is needed.
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