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Louisville Ban On No-Knock Search Warrants
Louisville Ban On No-Knock Search Warrants
WHEREAS, a ban of no-knock search warrants will enhance safety for both the
citizens of Louisville Metro Government and for the law enforcement officers who protect
them; and
WHEREAS, specific restrictions and limitations on the use of all search warrants
Section 39.XX. Definitions. For the purpose of Chapter 39 of the Louisville Metro Code
of Ordinances, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or
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No-knock search warrant: Any search warrant issued by a judge and executed upon a
premises that does not require those executing the warrant to knock and announce
Department of Corrections (LMDC) officer, or any other Metro law enforcement or public
safety official shall seek, execute, or participate in the execution of a no-knock warrant at
(A) Any LMPD police officer, LMDC officer, or any other Metro law enforcement
or public safety official charged with the execution of any search warrant shall be
accompanied only by such other persons as may be reasonably necessary for the
(B) Before entering the premises, any executing officer as identified in subsection
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(3) Absent exigent circumstances, wait a minimum of 15 seconds or for a
(A) All LMPD officers present in the execution of a warrant shall be equipped with
(B) No later than five minutes prior to all warrant executions, each officer on the
premises must activate their body camera recording equipment and may not deactivate
the equipment any sooner than five minutes following the completion of the execution of
the warrant.
(C) All recorded data must be retained for five years following an executing action.
The recorded data shall be stored in a separate electronic file category designated for
this purpose.
(A) An employee of Metro Government who violates this section may be subject
pay, and/or discharge, under the appropriate union contract, civil service commission
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(B) Complaints of a violation of this section by an employee of LMPD or LMDC
shall be received and investigated by the respective Professional Standards Unit ("PSU"),
except for investigations required and led by the LMPD Public Integrity Unit. Complaints
shall be received and investigated by the director of the Human Resources Department
("HR"). The results of any such investigation shall be provided to the complainant in
writing within seven days of the completion of the investigation, which shall occur no later
than one year after receipt of the complaint or in accordance with time frames specified
thereof to any person or circumstances shall be held invalid, that invalidation shall not
affect the other provisions of this Ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid
provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this Ordinance are declared to
be severable.
SECTION VIII: This Ordinance shall take effect upon its passage and approval.
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_____________________________________ ________________________________
Sonya Harward David James
Metro Council Clerk President of the Council
__________________________________ _____________________________
Greg Fischer Approval Date
Mayor
BY: _____________________________
O-213-20 Ban amendment by substitution– 6-11-20 (hh-al)