Wichita Approves Purchase of Robotic Police Dog “Spot” for Bomb Squad Use

The Wichita City Council has approved the purchase of a robotic police dog known as “Spot,” a move aimed at enhancing safety for officers in high-risk situations.

Originally, the Wichita Police Department requested funding for two robotic dogs—one for SWAT and one for the bomb squad. However, after weeks of discussion and public input, the council approved funding for a single unit, which will primarily be used by the bomb squad.

The robot is designed to assist in dangerous operations, such as handling explosives or entering hazardous environments, reducing the need for officers to put themselves in harm’s way. Police officials say the technology could have been useful during recent incidents, including a bomb response and barricade situation over the weekend.

The cost for the single robotic dog is estimated at around $330,000, with additional annual maintenance costs of about $28,000 after the first year.

While many support the investment as a step forward in officer safety, others voiced concerns about the lack of clear policies governing how the technology will be used. Some councilmembers pushed for delays until more guidelines were established.

In response, officials noted that robotic tools have been used in law enforcement for decades and argued that the new system represents an evolution of existing technology.

As part of the approval, city leaders plan to revisit the issue in July, when police are expected to present updated policies, usage data, and feedback—potentially reopening the discussion about adding a second robotic unit.

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