Bay City commission refers no-knock-warrants resolution back to sponsor after hours of debate

Commissioner Jessica Tenney’s proposed resolution to prohibit “no‑knock” search warrants in Bay City was the subject of extended public comment, testimony from multiple law enforcement representatives and commissioners, and a final vote to refer the measure back to the sponsor for further work.

The resolution, introduced at the Aug. 4 commission meeting, would require officers to follow knock‑and‑announce procedures and to wait a reasonable time for occupants to answer before entering, except in circumstances allowed by law. “This resolution is intended to protect our law enforcement and the people we serve,” Commissioner Jessica Tenney said during discussion.

The debate drew speakers on both sides. Detective Sergeant Ben Krizminski of the Bay City Department of Public Safety told the commission the Louisville case of Breonna Taylor involved broader failures beyond the use of a no‑knock clause and cautioned the body against a rushed policy change. “The Breonna Taylor tragedy wasn’t a result of a no knock search warrant,” Krizminski said, adding investigators later…