UPD Official Explains No Knock Search Warrants, Discusses Recent Incident On Wall Street [VIDEO]

When a judge consents to a police request to execute a no-knock search warrant, the action must be well planned and swiftly carried out. But, should police notify neighbors or others living in adjacent apartments to a location they are targeting?

The answer is 'no', says Utica Police spokesman Lt. Steve Hauck.

No knock warrants are 'one of the most dangerous things we do' and the 'element of surprise' is critically important, he said on WIBX First News with Keeler in the Morning on Thursday.

''We don't know who's connected to who'', Hauck said, explaining that notifying those nearby could lead to their target being tipped off to the imminent raid.

Hauck answered several questions that arose after a recent no-knock warrant was carried out at a home on Wall Street in Utica. The UPD was executing the raid on behalf of authorities in Madison County who were in search of an AK-47 that was stolen during burglary. Just after police blitzed the suspect's home, an officer discharged his shotgun and buckshot from the bullet went through the floor of the second story apartment and into a first floor unit nearly hitting a mother and children.

Hauck said that after making entry, the suspect's dog ran at police. The officer fired a shotgun round to put down the dog, he said. Buckshot from the bullet went through the floor into the residence below hitting a desk and painting, WKTV reports.

Fortunately, no one was injured, but Javell Carter and her family say they were shaken up by the incident (WKTV video).

The UPD spokesman did acknowledge that there are some circumstances at a scene that could lead to a slight adjustment in the police's plan, but there are very few.

''We're not going in there guns-a-blazin', [the process] is very thought out. Because of the dangers you face with these warrants they have to use force to protect themselves sometimes. Unfortunately, a couple of the BB's went down through the floor and into the first floor apartment,'' Hauck said.

Of the Utica officers who carry out these dangerous warrants, Hauck called them an 'exceptional and well trained' unit. As always, he said, the department will review the incident but said the process takes some time to complete.

''We analyze every use of force incident...to make sure that it was done right, or could we have done something better.''

Lt. Hauck on WIBX First News with Keeler in the Morning

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