N.Ga. lawmaker proposes restrictions for no-knock warrants

<b><a href="https://soundcloud.com/accesswdun/sr-kevin-tanner-on-no-knock-warrants">LISTEN: WDUN and AccessNorthGa.com's B.J. Williams interviews state Rep. Kevin Tanner</b></a><br /> <br /> ATLANTA - A new bill introduced in the Georgia House of Representatives Wednesday would place new restrictions on how law enforcement can use no-knock warrants.<br /> <br /> Rep. Kevin Tanner of Dawsonville, who had an 18-year career in law enforcement, authored HB 56.<br /> <br /> He said with help from law enforcement it took him more than eight months of work to put the bill together.<br /> <br /> "I wanted people who understood the process, who had actually been involved in the process to be involved in maybe tightening that process down in a way that didn't hamper good law enforcement officers from being able to continue to do their jobs," said Tanner.<br /> <br /> Tanner said the main component of the bill requires each law enforcement agency to have a written policy for using no-knock warrants.<br /> <br /> "It would require within that policy that the law enforcement agency would have a supervisor designated to make sure that the affidavit was reviewed...and signed off on prior to being submitted to a judge," said Tanner.<br /> <br /> Additionally, the bill would restrict the execution of no-knock warrants between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., unless authorized by a judge.<br /> <br /> Tanner said that he believes the overwhelming majority of no-knock warrants are executed without any problem, but tracking the number of warrants issued and having a written policy in place will benefit not only the public, but also protect law enforcement, should something go awry.<br /> <br /> The bill comes on the heels of a no-knock and a flash bang incident that ended up severely injuring a toddler in Habersham County. Tanner said he started work on the measure prior to that case.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/1/284070