On Wednesday, Chicago Police Department (CPD) Superintendent David O. Brown announced a series of draft changes to the policy and procedures around obtaining and serving search warrants. These new polices is a first step, according to CPD to prevent wrong raids, ensure that search warrants are carried out with a respect for human dignity, and guarantee accountability and transparency following wrong raids.  The new draft policy announced will prevent wrong raids and ensure accountability with a number of reforms that will change procedures before, during and after the execution of a search warrant. Under the new policy changes:  

• All search warrants will now have to be approved by a deputy chief or higher, which is three ranks above the previous requirement of lieutenant approval.  

• All “No-Knock” warrants will be banned from use by CPD except in specific cases where lives or safety are in danger. Additionally, these “No-Knock” warrants will now need approval from a bureau chief or higher, and will only be served by SWAT, rather than the team or officer who obtained and sought approval for the warrant.   

• Prior to the service of any search warrant, the team who will be serving a warrant will now be required to conduct a planning session wherein they identify any potentially vulnerable people who may be present at the location in question, including children. 

• In an effort to eliminate the possibilities of “wrong” raids, all warrants, both standard and “No-Knock”, will now require an independent investigation prior to the approval and execution of the warrant that will verify and corroborate that the information used to obtain the warrant is accurate.