Explanation
The purpose of this ordinance is to enact new Chapter 1912, pertaining to the use of search warrants by the Division of Police.
Following the death of Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky, cities across the country, including in the state of Ohio, are reconsidering how law enforcement executes search warrants, especially no-knock warrants. Evidence suggests that no-knock warrants increase the safety risk to both civilians and law enforcement, as hundreds have been injured or killed in the U.S. in the last several years during the execution of these warrants.
In the interest of promoting public safety and accountability, City Council is amending Title 19 of the Columbus City Codes to include new Chapter 1912, pertaining to search warrants. The main purposes of this code amendment are as follows:
• Limiting the use of no-knock warrants to suspicion of higher-level felonies
• Requiring the approval of the Chief of Police or their designee before executing a no-knock warrant
• Requiring no fewer than two (2) hours of surveillance immediately prior to the execution of the warrant.
• Banning no-knock warrants when there is intelligence or suspicion of minors being present at the location where the warrant is being executed.
• Establishing clear guidelines for executing all warrants.
• Requiring body-worn cameras for any officer that participates in the execution of a warrant in a tactical situation.
This ordinance is just one aspect of re-imagining public safety in the City of Columbus, and serves to increase accountability for law enforcement and promote the safety of police officers and all residents.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Emergency action is requested in order to ensure that the Division of Police has new standards set as soon as possible for the execution of no-knock, and other warrants, to protect public safety and welfare of residents.
Title
To enact new chapter 1912 of the Columbus City Codes, establishing standards for the use of warrants by the Columbus Division of Police, and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, Title 19 of the Columbus City Codes pertains to the Police and Fire Divisions; and
WHEREAS, cities and states across the country are reconsidering how law enforcement serves warrants in the light of Breonna Taylor’s death in Louisville and others injured or killed in the execution of no-knock search warrants; and
WHEREAS, evidence suggests that no-knock warrants increase the safety risk to civilians and law enforcement officers that serve the warrants; and
WHEREAS, Columbus City Council is creating new Chapter 1912 of the Columbus City Codes to limit the use of no-knock warrants, as well as to establish guidelines for the serving of warrants and requiring body-worn cameras for all officers who execute warrants; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of Columbus City Council, in that it is necessary to ensure that the Division of Police has new standards set as soon as possible for the execution of no-knock, and other warrants, for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That new chapter 1912 of the Columbus City Codes is hereby enacted, reading as follows:
Chapter 1912 - SEARCH WARRANTS
1912.01 - Use of no-knock search warrants limited.
(A) No division of police officer, or any other employee of the department of public safety, shall seek, execute, or participate in the execution of a no-knock warrant at any location within the Columbus corporate boundary for reasons of suspecting the commission of a fourth degree felony or lesser offense, or for any suspected possession of marihuana.
(B) No division of police officer, or any other employee of the department of public safety, shall seek, execute, or participate in the execution of a no-knock warrant at any location where there is intelligence indicating or suspicion of the presence of minors within the premises. This subsection does not apply to no knock warrants issued in connection with arrest warrants for violent felonies for minors fifteen (15) years of age or older.
(C) A division of police officer, or any other employee of the department of public safety, may seek, execute, or participate in the execution of a no-knock warrant only with the prior approval of the chief of police or their designee.
(D) Absent exigent circumstances, Tthe execution of any no-knock warrant must be preceded by no less than two (2) hours of surveillance of the exterior of the address sought in the warrant immediately prior to the execution of the warrant.
(E) The division of police, or the department of public safety, shall permit the involvement of other law enforcement agencies in the execution of no-knock warrants within the Columbus corporate boundary only if those agencies adhere to the restrictions outlined in this section.
1912.02 - Execution of search warrants by City employees
(A) Any division of police officer, or any other employee of the department of public safety, charged with the execution of any search warrant on an occupied structure shall be accompanied only by such other division of police officers, or employees of the department of public safety, as may be reasonably necessary for the successful execution of the warrant with all practicable safety.
(B) In executing any warrant, other than a no-knock warrant, on an occupied structure, before any officer as identified in subsection (A) enters the premises, the lead officer shall:
(1) Physically knock on an entry door to the premises in a manner and duration as to be heard by the occupants;
(2) Clearly and verbally announce as law enforcement having a search warrant in a manner as to be heard by the occupants; and,
(3) Absent exigent circumstances, wait no fewer than fifteen (15) seconds, or for a reasonable amount of time, for occupants to respond before entering the premises.
1912.03 -- Use of body-worn cameras in the execution of search warrants
(A) All division of police officers involved in the execution of any search warrant served during a tactical operation on an occupied structure, or involved in any arrest warrant; shall be equipped with an operating body-worn camera.
(B) Prior to the execution of all search warrants referenced in 1912.03(A), each officer on the premises must activate their body-worn camera recording equipment and may not deactivate the equipment any sooner than the completion of the execution of the warrant.
(C) All recorded data must be retained per the record retention schedule established by the department of public safety regarding body-worn camera footage.
(D) This section shall not preempt any other local, state, or federal law.
1912.04 - Penalty
Any division of police officer, or any employee of the department of public safety, that violates any section of this chapter may be subject to disciplinary action.
SECTION 2. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.
SECTION 3. That to allow the Division of Police and the Department of Public Safety sufficient opportunity to prepare and execute the new requirements, the enactment of new section 1912.03 shall take effect and be in force from and after December 1, 2020.