“Ready to rock and roll?” Clivers yelled.
I could see his mustache through his kevlar face shield.
“How confident are you the CI is good? You sure we have the right address this time?”
“Lock and load!” He slammed the magazine into his MK18. He’d tricked the rifle out with so many gadgets and attachments it looked like a toy.
“Seriously. How sure?”
“Hundred percent!”
He banged on the roof with a gloved fist.
The rear hatch dropped and we tumbled out.
The two guys with the battering ram yelled “POLICE!”
They smashed in the door.
We were right behind.
A no-knock warrant, or no-knock raid, is a warrant signed off by a judge that allows police to enter a residence without prior notice, permission, or express warning. Though the Fourth Amendment prohibits unreasonable searches of one’s home, a 1995 Supreme Court decision, Wilson v. Arkansas, provided a loophole for unannounced police entry, making it OK if the officer’s safety was at risk or if there was a chance of evidence being destroyed.
Ostensibly, no-knock warrants are issued in cases where police are concerned about giving suspects time to destroy evidence once they arrive at their residence. They are for unusual cases where an announcement of presence would lead to loss of important evidence or harm to safety.
But is not usually the case. The militarization of police across the US and the disproportionate targeting of African-Americans in the war on drugs has led to massive abuse of no-knocks. The price is damaged property, traumatized citizens, and (as in the case of Breonna Taylor and others), death.
It is scary – never thought the US would become a militarized police state, but at times it seems we are headed that way…
Dear Josh,
I hate to “like” this. Frightening times. Well written.
Shalom,
Rochelle
I like that you don’t, as author, comment on the “hundred percent” leaving it to us to judge
They seem a bit to excited about their work.
A bit worrying that his partner asks if it’s the right address this time. I dread to think what happened last time.
All this justified by the old excuse – ‘I just followed orders.’
Cops always have the best toys.
Are you sure you’ve got the right address?
Says it all.
Hi Sarg, why don’t we just open the door, it’s not locked.
Hell, let’s not spoil the fun.
I like the writing, but the story makes me both sad and angry. I’m thinking of the way Michael Flynn’s house was stormed without warning, and his being dragged out as if he were Public Enemy #1.
Flynn committed treason while in office and violated his oath by betraying the country for his own short-term gain. This is not opinion; it was proven in court. He was the subject of a federal investigation and there was trove of evidence that had already been amassed, including eyewitness testimony. In many countries, he would have been executed for treason. Instead he was pardoned by a corrupt and venal man for services rendered.
Breonna Taylor was asleep in her house when cops broke in aand shot her dead because they had the wrong address.
It’s deeply troubling that you see similarities in Flynn’s case and my story. You might want to seek out some unbiased news sources.
Great reply. Thank you.
The words “this time” says it all, in wondering if they have the right address. Scary stuff.
I don’t ‘like’ it, but … I like what you made of it, and the information you added to it. So so important!
Nice work, and I love the facts you added for context. It’s time for these “no knock” warrants to be history.