Bay City commission refers no-knock-warrants resolution back to sponsor after extensive public comment

Commissioners for the Bay City City Commission on Aug. 4 voted to refer a resolution that would prohibit no-knock search warrants back to the sponsor for revision and additional staff consultation after extended public comment and discussion.

The referral motion passed 5-3. The vote to refer was recorded as: DeWitt, Rhumburg, Charlebois, Cubitt and the mayor — yes; Tenney, Morris and Coakley — no. The commission had earlier received a motion to approve the resolution from Commissioner Tenney, which was seconded, but that motion was not voted on after debate and was superseded by the referral motion.

The resolution would have required officers executing search warrants to follow a knock-and-announce procedure and included provisions on body-worn camera retention and discipline language affecting department procedures. Supporters of the resolution argued it would protect residents and officers; opponents said it would limit needed police tactics in high-risk situations.

Public safety officers and union representatives who addressed the commission warned the resolution could remove a rarely used tactical option…