INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department will no longer authorize no-knock warrants, Chief Randal Taylor announced Wednesday.
A no-knock warrant is an order issued by a judge that authorizes law enforcement officers to enter a location without knocking or announcing their presence.
IMPD suspended the practice through a notice issued to the department on July 17, according to a release. The suspension of no-knock warrants went into effect immediately.
“Our continued dialogue with residents has allowed us to better understand what they expect of us as a police department, and make changes that benefit all in our community,” Taylor said. “Ending the authorization of no-knock warrants is a significant step for IMPD, one that has been championed by the men and women of this agency, as well as the neighbors they serve.”
IMPD officers will not be apart of any no-knock search warrants, including when assisting other law enforcement agencies, according to the policy.
"Officers are good enough now that they can find other ways to do those warrants," Taylor said. "Maybe it will be talk to the suspect while they are not at the house, at an establishment or something like that so there are these different options that won't put them in jeopardy and won't put the community in jeopardy."
The practice came under heavy scrutiny nationwide after the death of 26-year-old Breonna Taylor in Louisville. Taylor was killed when she was shot by Louisville police, who were executing a no-knock warrant.
"I think it is the right thing to do," Taylor said. "I think that the community will appreciate it. I know the officers will appreciate it so it is really a win-win."
