Police to review 'no-knock' policy after elderly woman killed

AP ^ | 11/28/06 | n/a

[ozoneliar]

How does it make sense to do "no knock" entries with plainclothes police? It seems like there is a great chance for confusion.

[Wormwood]

An Epidemic of Isolated Incidents

[taxcontrol]

I'm beginning to think on my next house, I'll have a steel door with a steel frame and floor stop along with bullet proof windows installed.

[MEGoody]

Pennington's comments on the incident were the first since Kathryn Johnston was killed Tuesday night after she shot three narcotics officers

Then she deserved to be shot.

[Paleo Conservative]

Atlanta Police Chief Richard Pennington said Sunday his department will review its policy on "no-knock" warrants and its use of confidential informants after an elderly woman was fatally shot by plainclothes officers.

What a bunch of incompetents. I wouldn't take the word of a drug informant at face value. They're mostly criminals themselves. I think I'd verify the information first before resorting to "no knock" warrants and entries.

[Lexington Green]

These cops and their superiors whould be charged with 2nd degree murder.

[Gay State Conservative]

Doing these things will probably lessen the chances of 90 year old women being shot...but it will also substantially lessen the chances of stopping certain kinds of crimes and apprehending criminals.

[Wormwood]

I'm beginning to think on my next house, I'll have a steel door with a steel frame and floor stop along with bullet proof windows installed.

In that case, they'll call your home a "compound" and you will never make it out alive.

[Ford4000]

You would think that with all of their professional experience and training that they could foresee the problems and risks to panicked and/or innocent people. I guess the answer is they don't care.

[Sybeck1]

I see they are still getting paid. Someone lost a mom or a grandma and they are getting off free. Is this lady black? Has Al or Jesse heard about this?

[L98Fiero]

Without a comparison of successful raids that list is useless. You know that, though. If you are looking for a 100% success rate, you are on the wrong planet.

[Wormwood]

Our system was founded toward protecting the innocent even at the risk of letting some of the guilty go free.

Jackbooted tactics such as these have no place in a society of Free Men.

[Sybeck1]

Or "bunker".

[L98Fiero]

"These cops and their superiors whould be charged with 2nd degree murder."

For serving a lawful warrant? You are delusional.

[Paleo Conservative]

Then she deserved to be shot.

What? Do you really mean innocent people have no right to defend themselves if the police mistakenly invade the home of a law abiding person? Why should a home owner believe that plain clothed police performing that break in are actually police?

[taxcontrol]

Let me ask you this question.... assume you are a law abiding citizen and assume that you have nothing to fear from the police. Also assume you have a firearm at your disposal and several men in street clothes kick down your door... no warning, no knocking, no "Police, open up".

Just BAM -- tough looking people in regular clothes come pouring into your house. Damn right I'd open fire.

Likely, I'd be dead as well. Also just as likely that one or more police officers would be dead as well due to the firepower I keep and my military training.

I don't want dead officers... I don't want dead civilians. The primary reason given for a no-knock raid is to prevent the criminals from ditching the evidence. Truth is... if you don't have enough evidence PRIOR to kicking in the door, if you have not done the basic police work of investigation, it is DOUBTFUL you will have a case.

[Wormwood]

Or "bunker".

Oooooh. Even better.

That's like Viagra™ to the ski-mask and MP5 crowd.

[L98Fiero]

"Do you really mean innocent people have no right to defend themselves if the police mistakenly invade the home of a law abiding person?"

Why wold someone need to protect themselves from the police? Are they there to rob them or murder them? No, they are there to serve a warrant so your arguement is not even based in reality.

[Wormwood]

Truth is... if you don't have enough evidence PRIOR to kicking in the door, if you have not done the basic police work of investigation, it is DOUBTFUL you will have a case.

You have defined the problem perfectly. Hats off!