Police in Omaha, Nebraska, have decided to halt the use of certain no-knock search warrants following the tragic death of an unarmed Black man during the execution of such a warrant. Omaha Deputy Police Chief Scott Gray disclosed that the use of standard entry no-knock warrants has been temporarily suspended as the department undergoes a thorough evaluation of best practices. It is unlikely that this practice will be entirely discontinued.
During the execution of a no-knock warrant on August 28th as part of a drug and firearms investigation, Omaha Police Officer Adam Vail shot and killed Cameron Ford, 37, while serving on a SWAT team. Officer Vail claimed that Ford charged at him with his hands not visible. Despite uncovering fentanyl, large sums of cash, and marijuana during the search of the premises, Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine opted not to press charges against the officers involved in the incident.
In response to Ford’s death, advocates, including the local NAACP chapter president, have demanded an independent investigation into the shooting, emphasizing that Ford should have been apprehended rather than fatally shot. They are also pushing for the cessation of using no-knock warrants due to the associated avoidable violence and tragedies.
Wayne Brown, the President and CEO of the Urban League of Nebraska, spoke out against the use of no-knock warrants, urging for a shift towards strategies that prioritize the safety of both law enforcement officers and residents.
Omaha Police Deputy Chief Gray detailed the different types of no-knock warrants used, primarily focusing on standard entry and breach and hold methods. The review and suspension of these warrants come amidst a broader reconsideration of their use by law enforcement agencies across the United States since the killing of Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky, in 2020.
In the aftermath of Taylor’s death, Omaha police modified their policy concerning no-knock warrants, instituting a requirement for all such warrants to be reviewed and approved by high-ranking officials before execution. Additionally, a SWAT team is mandated to serve warrants that exceed a specified threat assessment level. The threat assessments evaluate various factors including the subject’s history of violence, mental health status, access to weapons, and the presence of potential risks like dangerous dogs or surveillance cameras.
Notably, Ford received a threat assessment score of 80, well above the threshold requiring the involvement of a SWAT team in executing the search warrant. The reevaluation of the use of no-knock warrants in Omaha emphasizes the importance of ensuring the safety of both law enforcement officers and the public during such operations.