kingfisher241049

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsAr...URT-POLICE.xml

Bob

can see how it could be a good idea, but it's begging to be abused....and planted evidence anyone?

Brav

In the 1998 case, seven Detroit police officers executed a search warrant for drugs and weapons at Booker Hudson's house. They shouted, "police, search warrant," but did not knock on the door. After waiting only three to five seconds, they entered the house.

The police found five rocks of crack cocaine in his pants pocket and plastic bags in the house that contained cocaine. They also founded a loaded revolver in a chair.


Based on that, had they knocked, i could only imagine the possible outcome

kingfisher241049

Its easy for the police and others to be correct in hindsight, but the police using these kind of shortcuts is worrying. The police have to obey the law as well as enforce it. If the police don't obey the law, why should the rest of us?

franc11s

I'm more for this.

With the frequent use of videotaping of the police themselves, that can only help keep police in line (shame we have to but that's life).

We are in a new era of war-fare. Shame.

anotherlimey

I was surprised they had to knock anyway.

ironporer

I can see both sides of this issue.

Perhaps a more sensible way to do it would be for the states to pass legislation allowing for two types of warrants- a 'knock' type for situations where there is no reasonable cause to believe evidence will be flushed/destroyed or of danger to the officers well being; and a 'no knock' version version for situations in which there is cause to believe that could/would be the outcome. That way, the cops still can not overstep their bounds, but they also have the means of obtaining a no knock warrant when needed- and the judges would have to decide.

Kate2112

Guess which one would be used 99% of the time. Not that I would blame them. Its a dangerous job and too many police/law enforcers are shot by goons who take advantage of the niceties and constraints of the law.