As the city plans to review the NYPD’s use of no-knock warrants, police brass defended the tactic, stating their record here in the city is stellar.

“It’s not always simple or perfect. These are highly complex situations. They involve very, very dangerous circumstances with meticulous planning,” said Chief Rodney Harrison, the chief of department.

What You Need To Know

  • NYPD officials defended the use of no-knock warrants at a press conference at One Police Plaza Thursday

  • According to the NYPD, in more than 1,800 search warrants last year, nearly 800 lead to firearms and 667 lead to narcotics

  • NY1 spoke to Jamaica Resident Tijuana Brown last week. She says police only found a small amount of marijuana after they used a battering ram to bust in her door last month while executing a no-knock warrant
  • The NYPD defended the raid at Brown's home, saying an undercover made multiple marijuana purchases at the home following complaints from neighbors about drugs and guns at the location

Harrison is speaking from experience. The highest ranking uniformed member of the service says a no-knock warrant is a valuable tool for law enforcement. It’s a tactic when police enter a location — before announcing their presence — typically used as an element of surprise. 

“Just because a warrant says it’s no-knock does not mean that we don’t make any announcements. In fact, it’s the NYPD’s practice and tradition to make our presence clearly known. No knock simply means that we don’t have to wait for someone to open the door,” said Harrison.

According to the NYPD, in more than 1,800 search warrants last year, nearly 800 lead to firearms and 667 lead to narcotics. 

Police Commissioner Dermot Shea says the process leading up to a search warrant is thorough. He says it typically begins with 911 calls from concerned residents, followed up by police investigations, working alongside the district attorney’s office. Finally, a judge has to sign off on the warrant.

“This is a very serious matter. It’s serious for the homeowners that we get it right, it’s serious for the people of the community that want to live in safety and it’s absolutely serious for the men and women who put on a vest and go out and put themselves in harm’s way,” said Shea.

But recently, the Daily News published a series of articles on three no-knock raids in Queens, where homeowners say the raids were botched.

NY1 spoke to Jamaica Resident Tijuana Brown last week. She says police only found a small amount of marijuana after they used a battering ram to bust in her door last month while executing a no-knock warrant for her nephew Andre. 

“They said it was a bust and then said, ‘Sorry for the inconvenience.’ And they left. But this is definitely more than an inconvenience,” said Brown on April 5.

Andre Brown was arrested, but his charges were dropped. Tijuana Brown is planning to sue the city for damages.

The NYPD defended the raid at Brown's home, saying an undercover made multiple marijuana purchases at the home following complaints from neighbors about drugs and guns at the location. NYPD officials said the three Queens warrants were legally executed. 

There is a growing national movement to ban no-knock warrants or raids. Recently, Mayor Bill de Blasio said the practice is under review here in the city.