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Rep. Gene Wu files bill that would ban use of no-knock warrants across Texas

Thursday, November 12, 2020
AUSTIN, Texas (KTRK) -- State Rep. Gene Wu filed a bill this week that would ban no-knock warrants across Texas.

Wu's proposal, filed on Tuesday, comes nearly two years after a controversial botched drug raid caused the deaths of a Houston couple and led to murder charges for a police officer.
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The bill would ban magistrates from issuing warrants that allow police to break into homes without warning.

In February 2019, HPD Chief Art Acevedo said either himself or a designated higher up must approve and sign off on the request. That warrant then must be signed by a district court judge and only SWAT members will execute those warrants.

READ ALSO: 6 former HPD officers charged with 15 felonies linked to deadly botched raid

In addition, when it comes to how the unit handles warrants, Wu's bill proposes a department's narcotics division to only execute "knock and announce warrants" with the use of ballistic shields for entries. If passed, the bill would go into effect on on Sept. 1, 2021.
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To read the bill, visit the Texas legislature's website.

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