Kentucky Supreme Court hears clash over Lexington’s ban on no-knock warrants
FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government faced off against the local police union Thursday at the Kentucky Supreme Court over the city’s controversial ban on “no-knock” warrants, an issue thrust into prominence after the killing of Breonna Taylor in 2020, Courthouse News Service reports.
At the heart of the debate is whether Lexington’s total ban on no-knock warrants—a measure inspired by Louisville’s “Breonna’s Law”—interferes with police officers’ employment conditions and thus requires collective bargaining with their union, Bluegrass Lodge #4 of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).
Attorney Jason Renzelmann, representing the county government, argued the ordinance represented a legitimate policy decision aimed at protecting public welfare, emphasizing that the Kentucky legislature did not intend to prohibit stricter local measures when it passed statewide restrictions under Senate Bill 4.
“The Legislature did not intend to sweep aside Breonna’s Law,” Renzelmann asserted, referencing Louisville’s law banning no-knock warrants.
Deputy Chief Justice Robert Conley challenged Renzelmann’s position, noting the local ordinance effectively criminalized what state law permits.
On the other side, Nicholas Oleson, counsel for the FOP, argued the ban violates the union’s collective bargaining agreement, which mandates the government to ensure officer safety during working hours. He maintained that no-knock warrants significantly enhance safety, citing the U.S. Supreme Court decision United States v. Ramirez, which allowed such warrants when suspects posed imminent threats.
“The collective bargaining agreement explicitly says the government has an obligation to protect the safety of the officers during working hours,” Oleson said, adding that the trial court erred by denying discovery and failing to create a factual record for a proper decision.
Justice Michelle Keller questioned the city’s stance, cautioning against shielding policy decisions from judicial review entirely. “I don’t think you can make a blanket statement about it being a policy and shield it from review,” she remarked.
Renzelmann countered, emphasizing a distinction between policies set by governmental bodies, which prioritize public interest, and those established by private employers.
“Speed limits and gun control laws are not bargained, even though they could have an effect on officer safety,” he argued. “This is a dramatic departure from bargaining procedure.”
Justice Pamela Goodwine, scheduled to be sworn in as the first Black woman on the Kentucky Supreme Court, recused herself from this case. Chief Justice Debra Lambert said the court would expedite its ruling on the matter.
The case arrives at the Kentucky Supreme Court after the Kentucky Court of Appeals overturned an earlier trial court decision dismissing the union’s suit against Lexington-Fayette County’s no-knock ordinance.
