US police force to recruit capuchin monkey for 'intelligence' work

An American police force is planning to sign up a monkey to reinforce its elite special operations team.

Members of the special weapons and tactics (SWAT) unit in Mesa, Arizona, believe that a capuchin monkey, dressed in a bullet-proof jacket and equipped with a two-way radio and video camera, could prove an invaluable reconnaissance tool.

The SWAT team's commander has agreed to a feasibility study into the use of a capuchin monkey. Sean Truelove, a SWAT officer who builds and operates reconnaissance robots, has applied for a £53,000 federal grant to fund the four-year monkey project. Capuchins have already been trained to be companions to quadriplegics, performing tasks such as serving food, turning off lights and brushing hair. Mr Truelove said the same training could prepare a capuchin monkey for police intelligence work.

He said the monkeys, which weigh only 3-8lb and whose puzzle-solving skills are enhanced by tiny, dexterous human-like hands, could unlock doors, search buildings and find injured people upon command.

Their size could allow them into places that officers and robots could not reach, such as attic rafters, he said. "Everybody laughs about it until they really start thinking about it. It would change the way we do business."

Mr Truelove is prepared for potential opposition from animal rights groups and insists that the capuchin would not be sent into action if "the threat level is too high". Gloves for its hands and feet would protect it from broken glass.

Just as he has never known a suspect to harm a robot, he predicted that criminals would be "too stunned" by the capuchin's appearance to hurt it.

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Contact: Holly Hosac
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Monday, April 18, 2005

News Releases

Mesa Police Department Responds to East Valley Tribune Article and Inquiries

On Saturday, April 16, the East Valley Tribune published an article entitled “SWAT idea takes a swing at crime – E.V. officer suggests making skillful monkey part of team.” The article was based on discussions between Tribune reporter Kristina Davis and SWAT Officer Sean Truelove while Davis attended the Department’s SWAT school in March. The article stated that the Mesa Police Department is seeking approximately $100,000 in federal grant money to purchase a monkey for use in SWAT operations. In fact, this was exploratory in nature, as an inquiry was made by Officer Truelove as he conducted research into the feasibility of the idea.

While Officer Truelove explored the idea of training a capuchin monkey for special-ops intelligence, and submitted an inquiry to the U.S. Department of Defense, the idea was never approved for use in Mesa SWAT operations. Truelove sought guidance from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency regarding the cost and feasibility of the project; however, the action should not be considered an official Mesa Police Department grant request, as it was never formally presented to, or approved by the Department’s Command Staff.

“While we have always encouraged our Department members to seek creative and innovative ways to improve public safety in our community, we regret any conclusions that were reached based on Saturday’s Tribune article,” said Mesa Police Chief Dennis Donna. “The purchase of a capuchin monkey has not been considered by executive staff and I would like to be certain that any media covering this story is properly informed.”

Additional inquiries can be addressed to the Mesa Police Department’s Media Relations Office.

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