LANSING, Mich. — The Lansing Police Department (LPD) is announcing a change to its search warrant execution policy (600.27) aimed to ensure search warrants are executed in a reasonable manner and otherwise in compliance with applicable constitutional and statutory safeguards that protect the safety of both officers and private citizens. LPD prides itself on having a professionally trained law enforcement tactical team (Special Tactics and Rescue Team - START) who has carried out successful search warrant executions since their inception.
The policy change is the result of a systematic review to make sure that the practices and policies of the LPD are consistent with current nationwide police best practice strategies, applicable law and also in conformance with the LPD constitutional and holistic policing model. That review has led the LPD to further clarify its restrictive stance on what is commonly termed, “No-Knock” court authorized search warrants and their execution. No-knock warrants authorize police officers to enter certain premises without first knocking and announcing their presence or purpose before entering the premises.
The new language in the search warrant execution policy (600.27) now states that, “No-Knock search warrants are prohibited at LPD. Officers are required to announce their identity and purpose. Additionally, the LPD will not assist or participate in a search warrant execution with another law enforcement agency, whether state or federal, that is holding and/or desiring to execute a no-knock search warrant.”
The LPD desires to lead the law enforcement profession in its constitutional policing methodology and the following policy change is meant to create a greater level of overall safety to an already dangerous police activity.
“As the Lansing Police Department systematically reviews policies, prohibiting 'No Knock' searches is another very important step to take to ensure the rights of residents," said Mayor Andy Schor.
Chief Green stated, “The members of the LPD are law enforcement leaders, no matter what their assignment, and should conduct themselves with a level of professionalism of which the community can be proud and this policy clarification is just another example of our efforts to embrace police reform.”
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