The legislation would prohibit a court from issuing, or law enforcement officers from executing a no-knock search warrant. A no-knock warrant is defined as "a search warrant that specifically enables the law enforcement officer executing the warrant to enter a structure without the requirement that the officer give notice of the officer's authority and the purpose of the officer's presence at the structure to be searched due to exigent circumstances."
Seelbach hopes to put new restrictions on no-knock warrants in Cincinnati
City Councilman Chris Seelbach hopes to soon pass a motion restricting how no-knock warrants â a previously little-known law enforcement tool that received national attention in 2020 â are issued in Cincinnati.
and last updated 2021-01-20 19:09:52-05
CINCINNATI â City Councilman Chris Seelbach hopes to soon pass a motion restricting how no-knock warrants â a previously little-known law enforcement tool that received national attention in 2020 â are issued in Cincinnati.
But local Fraternal Order of Police president Dan Hils and Hamilton County Judge Lisa Allen, one of the judges who signs off on such warrants when theyâre approved, said Wednesday night they believe Seelbachâs concern about possible abuse is overblown.
Megan Harris / 90.5 WESA
Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday introduced legislation that would ban no-knock warrants, a move that would inscribe in city law a ban on a law-enforcement tactic that local officials say the city already doesn t use.
No-knock warrants allow officers to forcibly enter a home without knocking or announcing their identity or purpose. The bill would essentially ban the practice by requiring police to knock and announce themselves before serving a warrant, then wait a minimum of 15 seconds to allow the person to respond and open the door.
The legislation would also require that when executing a warrant, officers must wear a body camera and keep it on and recording before and after the execution of the warrant, and during any arrest or search of a person or property. Officers would also be required to be uniformed and immediately identifiable as a law enforcement officer.
On Jan. 19, a bill was introduced into Pittsburgh City Council that seeks to ban Pittsburgh Police officers from using “no-knock” warrants. The ban is.