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the resolution from Commissioner Tenney, which was seconded, but that motion was not voted on after debate and was superseded by the referral motion.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 for situations the department deems high risk. Detective Sergeant Ben Krizminski of the Bay City Department of Public Safety, who identified himself as a 17-year law enforcement veteran and president of the department’s Command Officers Association, said, “The Breonna Taylor tragedy wasn't a result of a no knock search warrant. It was a result of constant poor police practices by the Louisville Metro Police Department and not from a no knock search warrant.” Krizminski also stressed the local department’s internal checks for a no-knock clause, saying prosecutors and judges review affidavits before approval.

Officer Ruston LaRose, president of the Bay City Police Officers Association and a community-policing officer, said no-knock entries are rare locally but “play an important role in officer safety during high risk search warrants.” He added that Bay City’s policy requires announcement and that body cameras are activated before officers exit vehicles and remain on for the incident.

Residents and other speakers gave contrasting testimony. Denise Davidson, who spoke against the resolution, described it as government overreach and urged the commission to trust public safety professionals and existing procedures. Paul Kalidow and other residents urged limits on no-knock tactics to protect both officers and civilians.

City Director Raul (public safety director) explained how the department requests high-risk assistance from the Michigan State Police emergency services team and said the department has used the no-knock clause sparingly: “In looking through the past few years, I found 4 that we've done since 2021. When I say that that we've done, we haven't done any since 2023.” He also clarified the local practice on announcement: “I've never seen a warrant executed where announcing wasn't done the entire time.” He told commissioners that felony-related footage generally is retained seven years under current department practice and that the department requires director-level approval for high-risk warrants.

Commissioner Jessica Tenney, sponsor of the resolution, said she intended the measure to “protect our law enforcement and the people we serve both,” and pointed to national incidents that shaped community concerns. Several commissioners said they supported stakeholder conversations before enacting policy changes. Commissioner Runberg moved to refer the item back to the sponsor and to staff for further work; Commissioner DeWitt seconded that motion.

The commission discussed several procedural and charter-related constraints raised by staff and the public safety director, including that sections of the proposed resolution touching on discipline could conflict with the city charter and collective bargaining agreements. Commissioners asked staff to return with language that addresses those legal and operational concerns while preserving the policy intent where possible.

The commission’s action sends the resolution back to Commissioner Tenney and requests staff and stakeholders — including the Bay City Department of Public Safety and bargaining representatives — meet to craft revised language for a future meeting. No final policy change was adopted at this session.

The commission’s referral vote was the formal action taken on the item; commissioners indicated they expect further meetings and edits prior to any final vote.