Houston

Sheriff's Office Alters No-Knock Policy After Houston Raid

Two residents were killed and five officers injured in a raid on Jan. 28

The Harris County Sheriff's Office is revising its policy on the use of no-knock raids following a drug raid on a home that turned into a deadly shootout in which two residents were killed and five undercover officers injured.

A sheriff's spokesman, Jason Spencer, told the Houston Chronicle on Friday that any no-knock raid must receive written authorization from top sheriff's leaders.

Spencer says the policy revision likely won't translate to a change in practices because the office rarely uses unannounced searches -- just two in the last two years.

Houston police announced Monday that they will only use no-knock raids in rare, special circumstances.

Authorities say a Houston police officer lied on an affidavit to justify a Jan. 28 raid in which the residents were killed and officers hurt in a gun battle.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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