Rep. Gene Wu files bill that would ban use of no-knock warrants across Texas
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.
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.
To read the bill, visit the Texas legislature's website.
MORE ON THE JAN. 28, 2019 HPD RAID:
- New deadly raid evidence sheds doubt on HPD investigation: attorneys
- HPD announces new oversight and revisions after deadly raid
- HPD officer at center of controversial raid shot twice before
- HPD union president responds to new information after warrant reveals informant allegedly lied
- Informant didn't buy drugs from suspects killed in police shootout
- HPD DRUG RAID TIMELINE: Before the raid to now
