Racialized Lived Experiences of No-knock Raids in Canadian Policing: Supporting the Dissenting Opinion in the Legal Case of R v Cornell

Abstract

A no-knock police raid is a law enforcement tactic where officers enter a private dwelling without prior notice. In Canada, there is a significant lack of comprehensive data, on the frequency and outcomes of no-knock police raids and their unintended damages and consequences. While quantitative studies on police violence have been informative, there is a significant gap in documenting racialized lived experiences with no-knock police raids in Canada. This research addresses the gap by focusing on the lived experiences of four Black and one South Asian individual subjected to no-knock police raids. Qualitative interviews were conducted in 2022 followed with thematic analysis. This exploratory study, though small in sample size, sheds light on the overlooked experiences of individuals subjected to no-knock police raids. It provides data to support the dissenting opinion in the legal case R v Cornell which advocates for the regulation of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams including controls on no knock tactics in Canada. The findings contribute to understanding the emotional and psychological toll no-knock police raids have on racialized individuals and communities. Findings contribute to the broader literature and discussions on how to improve policing tactics to mitigate harm by preventing unintended collateral harm and better protect privacy rights