Can You Enter Without a Warrant?" – What Every Officer Needs to Know This Week

Good Morning! It’s Monday, March 30th, 2025.

 🎯TODAY'S SCENARIO

Scenario:
You have an arrest warrant for Marcus Taylor, wanted for felony assault.
At 6:30 AM, you and your partner go to his girlfriend’s apartment, where you believe he spent the night. She answers the door and says Marcus is “probably asleep in the back,” but refuses to let you in. You don’t have a search warrant.

You ask for consent to enter and she says “no, I don’t want you in my place.”

🗓️ Inside This Issue: What You Need to Know

• Last Week in Policing: Key takeaways (March 24th– March 30th, 2025)

• Case Law Brief: Warrants and entering homes

• Officer Wellness: Train the way you move on duty

 Weekly Law Enforcement Recap
(March 17th- March 23rd, 2025)

Weekly line of duty deaths: 2 | Yearly Line of Duty Death Total: 18

📄 Lawmakers Take Action on High-Speed Chases
With no clear national standards on police pursuits, some lawmakers are pushing for new regulations after a series of fatal chases. The proposed laws aim to clarify when and how officers should engage in pursuits, balancing public safety with the need to apprehend suspects. Read More

📄 Arkansas Troopers Warn: Fleeing Is a Deadly Gamble
After a spike in dangerous pursuits, Arkansas State Police are reminding the public that fleeing from law enforcement puts everyone at risk. The agency continues to defend its aggressive pursuit tactics but is doubling down on public education around the consequences. Read More

📄 Rural Nebraska Faces Growing Law Enforcement Gap
Departments in rural Nebraska are struggling to fill positions, leading to longer response times and increased strain on remaining deputies. Officials say the shortage is reaching a breaking point, and creative solutions may be needed to attract officers to underserved areas. Read More

📄 Milwaukee Police Sued Over Gun Recall Incident
A new federal lawsuit accuses Milwaukee police of continuing to use handguns after the manufacturer issued a recall. The plaintiff, a former officer, says he was injured when the gun malfunctioned. The case raises questions about department oversight and equipment safety. Read More

🏛 Caselaw Brief:
Warrants and Entering Homes

🚔 Payton v. New York (1980)
An arrest warrant does not give you the right to enter just any home.
You can enter the suspect’s own residence only if:

• You have a valid arrest warrant

• You have reason to believe the suspect is inside

🏠 Steagald v. United States (1981)
If the suspect is inside someone else’s home, an arrest warrant isn’t enough. You need one of the following:

• A search warrant for that home

• Consent from someone with authority (Illinois v. Rodriguez, 1990)

• Exigent circumstances (Minnesota v. Olson, 1990)

What are your options?

• ✅ Arrest warrant + suspect’s home + belief they’re inside = Good

• ❌ Arrest warrant + third-party home = No go (without consent, exigency, or a search warrant)

 Officer Wellness:
🏋️ TRAINING TIP OF THE WEEK

“Train the Way You Move on Duty” – Build Functional Strength

You don’t need to spend hours in the gym to get stronger for the job—you just need to train smart. The goal? Build real-world strength that helps you move better in your gear, sprint when needed, and recover faster after long shifts.

This week’s focus:
👉 Add one functional movement to your routine.

Try one of these, even for just 3 sets after your main workout:

• Sled Pushes / Pulls – mimics pushing a downed person or heavy gear

• Farmer’s Carries – builds grip strength and core stability

• Step-Ups with Weight – stairs + gear = real-world cardio

• Sandbag Bear Hugs or Carries – simulates awkward loads like bodies or breaching tools

• Kettlebell Swings – explosive hips = better sprint speed and injury prevention

Bonus Tip:
Wearing 20 lbs of gear daily? You should occasionally train in a weighted vest (15–20 lbs) to mimic the load