Attorney General Cameron Launches Statewide Search Warrant Task Force

Task force will conduct a top to bottom review of Kentucky’s search warrant process

FRANKFORT, Ky. (January 21, 2021) – Attorney General Daniel Cameron today announced the formation of the Attorney General’s Search Warrant Task Force to examine the process for securing, reviewing, and executing search warrants in Kentucky.  The creation of the task force fulfills the Attorney General’s promise to convene a task force to develop best practices for the effective and safe execution of search warrants in the Commonwealth. Search warrants have received significant attention following the death of Ms. Breonna Taylor, who was shot and killed during the execution of a search warrant at her home.

“We made a promise to Kentuckians that questions and concerns raised about search warrants would be thoroughly considered, and today we’re delivering on that promise by launching the Search Warrant Task Force,” said Attorney General Cameron.  “We’ve assembled a group representing every aspect of the search warrant process to conduct a top to bottom review and provide recommendations. Our goal is to establish Kentucky as a national model for how search warrants should be pursued and executed. It is my responsibility as Attorney General and the Chief Law Enforcement Officer to bring this important group together, and we look forward to soliciting input from Kentuckians as we undertake this process.”

In reviewing the search warrant process, the task force will be asked to consider law enforcement’s role in advancing public safety along with the personal protections guaranteed to citizens by the Constitutions of the United States and the Commonwealth. 

The task force will be chaired by the Attorney General’s Office and will consist of the following members:

  • Two representatives of the Kentucky Court of Justice appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Kentucky;
  • The Chairs of the Judiciary Committees of the Kentucky House of Representatives and the Kentucky Senate;
  • One person appointed by the Fraternal Order of Police of Kentucky;
  • One person appointed by the Kentucky Sheriff’s Association;
  • One person appointed by the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police;
  • The Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police or his designee;
  • One person appointed by the Kentucky Commonwealth’s Attorneys’ Association;
  • One person appointed by the Kentucky County Attorney’s Association;
  • The Public Advocate or his designee;
  • One person appointed by the Kentucky League of Cities;
  • One person appointed by the Kentucky Association of Counties;
  • One person appointed by the Kentucky Conference of the NAACP;
  • The Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training or his designee; and
  • Three citizens representing the Commonwealth at large appointed by the Attorney General.

Each organization has been asked to submit the name(s) of those who will serve on the task force no later than February 5, 2021.

The task force will convene as often as necessary to examine the search warrant process, solicit public input, and develop recommendations.  Meetings will be accessible to the public, consistent with current COVID-19 health guidelines.  The task force is expected to conclude its work no later than December 31, 2021.  The first meeting of the task force will be set in the coming weeks.

To view a copy of the Attorney General’s executive order, click here

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