Resident urges Wheatland council to change police warrant policy after suspect arrested near children

John Odom, a Wheatland resident, told the Wheatland City Council that on Oct. 14 officers executed an arrest warrant in his neighborhood while his children were playing nearby and that the department did not alert neighbors or otherwise prioritize child safety. "I think there needs to be some changes in the policy to prioritize the safety of the public," Odom said during the public-comment period.

Chief of Police (identified in the meeting as the department chief) responded that two officers were conducting a warrant follow-up while a field-training officer was present, that the warrant stemmed from an older domestic-battery investigation and that the individual did not present a known threat to the community. "We are not gonna put the community in any danger that we don't need," the chief said, explaining the department prefers to preserve the element of surprise in many warrant operations to protect both officers and the public.

Council members and other officials discussed the balance between written policy and officer discretion, citing U.S. Supreme Court precedents that frame use-of-force law. One council member referenced Tennessee v. Garner and Graham v. Connor as legal guidance for when force and tactics are lawful. Several council members urged Odom to submit written suggestions or request a workshop so the council and staff could review specific policy language.

Officials told Odom the town's policies are under review and encouraged him to provide specific edits. The council did not vote on any police-policy change at the meeting; the public comment prompted a commitment to further review. The meeting record indicates the town will continue policy review as it transitions to a new policy-management system.

The council moved on after the exchange; council leaders said they would accept written proposals and consider a future workshop to examine possible changes.