The SC Supreme Court has banned surprise noknock police warrants.

The court told magistrates temporarily to suspend them due to danger to the public and police.

Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said “no knock” arrest warrants are rare here.

“It’s been a number of years – at least a decade or so – since a Lexington County deputy has asked a judge to grant one,” Koon said.

“While there might be rare tactical situations in which they are reasonable, they often present dangers to deputies, bystanders and the fugitive.

“That’s why we’re always careful to announce ourselves when we arrive to take someone into custody.

“It’s our standard practice to have a marked unit and a uniformed deputy on scene to leave no doubt who we are and that we’re there to conduct law enforcement activities.”

Cameron Mortenson of the Lexington Police agreed.

Mortenson said Police Chief Terrence Green does not favor officers using no knock unless extreme circumstances exist.

“In that case, there would be careful examination to ensure that this type of warrant was necessary with a focus on the safety of the officers involved in the operation or the citizens.”

The warrants were criticized after a raid on the wrong Louisville, KY, home ended in the death of Breonna Taylor, an innocent woman fatally shot to death by police.