ST. PAUL, Minn. – Under a bill that narrowly cleared its first committee in the Democrat-controlled Minnesota House on Thursday, no-knock police warrants would be banned in Minnesota, except when someone is held against their will and no-knock is needed to avoid imminent death or great bodily harm.
Mendota Heights Police Chief Kelly McCarthy testified that banning no-knock warrants will not compromise community safety.
“Officers do not need a warrant to act when they are faced with in-progress crimes or matters of imminent safety,” McCarthy said.
Saint Cloud Police Chief Blair Anderson said members of the legislature or supporters of the bill have no idea what officers are dealing with on the streets.
“We are not dealing with people who simply come to the door and answer it because we knock and ask them politely,” Anderson said.
It’s expected the bill will face stiff opposition in the Republican-controlled Minnesota Senate.