A no-knock warrant is an order from a judge that allows police to enter a home without ringing a doorbell or banging on the door. The practice has come under increasing scrutiny following the March 13 death of Breonna Taylor, who was fatally shot by police conducting a no-knock warrant at her home in Louisville, Kentucky.
Topeka’s new ban would forward complaints to the police chief about possible violations, which would be investigated by the police department’s professional standards unit. That investigation would then be subject to review by the city’s independent police auditor.
Councilwoman Christina Valdivia-Alcala was the only member to vote against the measure. She said while she opposes the use of no-knock warrants, she doesn’t trust the city’s police auditor to offer an independent review of possible violations because he answers to the city manager.