Title
An Ordinance enacting Section 23-51 of the Code of Ordinances of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, banning the use of no-knock warrants by the Div. of Police; requiring Lexington police officers to knock and announce themselves before entering a premises to execute a warrant; and requiring any Lexington police officer present in the initial entry and securing of the scene of a warrant to be equipped with and activate a body worn camera. [Council Office, Maynard]
Body
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE LEXINGTON-FAYETTE URBAN COUNTY GOVERNMENT:
Section 1 - That Section 23-51 of the Code of Ordinances of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government be and hereby is created to read as follows:
Sec. 23-51. No-Knock Warrants.
(a) For purposes of this section, “no-knock warrant” means any arrest or search warrant issued by a judge and executed upon a premises that does not require those executing the warrant to knock and announce themselves and their purpose prior to executing the warrant.
(b) No police officer of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Division of Police shall seek or execute no-knock warrant at any location within Lexington-Fayette County.
(c) Any Lexington police officer charged with execution of a warrant upon any premises in order to gain entry shall:
(1) physically knock on an entry door to the premises in a manner and duration reasonably expected to be heard by the occupants;
(2) clearly and verbally announce, in a manner reasonably expected to be heard by the occupants, as law enforcement having a warrant; and
(3) absent exigent circumstances, wait a reasonable amount of time after knocking and announcing before entering the premises.
(d) All Lexington Police Officers present in the initial entry and securing of the scene of a warrant shall be equipped with and activate a body worn camera.
Section 2 - That this Ordinance shall become effective on July 1, 2021.
PASSED URBAN COUNTY COUNCIL: