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Georgia Lawmakers Plan Limited Look At Police Tactics

Associated Press •
Alecia and Boun Khan Phonesavanh, from rear left, the parents of 19-month-old Bounkham Phonesavanh who was severely burned by a flash grenade during a SWAT drug raid, attend a vigil with their daughters outside Grady Memorial Hospital where he is undergoing treatment, Monday, June 2, 2014, in Atlanta. A Georgia state senator says he will ask U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates to investigate a police raid where the Georgia toddler was severely burned by a flash grenade. State Sen. Vincent Fort joined 19-month-old Bounkham Phonesavanh's family at a prayer vigil outside Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta on Monday. The boy's mother says a fever may delay a planned surgery. Police have said officers were looking for a suspect who may have been armed and didn't know children were inside. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Alecia and Boun Khan Phonesavanh, from rear left, the parents of 19-month-old Bounkham Phonesavanh who was severely burned by a flash grenade during a SWAT drug raid, attend a vigil with their daughters outside Grady Memorial Hospital where he is undergoing treatment, Monday, June 2, 2014, in Atlanta. A Georgia state senator says he will ask U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates to investigate a police raid where the Georgia toddler was severely burned by a flash grenade. State Sen. Vincent Fort joined 19-month-old Bounkham Phonesavanh's family at a prayer vigil outside Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta on Monday. The boy's mother says a fever may delay a planned surgery. Police have said officers were looking for a suspect who may have been armed and didn't know children were inside. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Credit David Goldman / Associated Press
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State lawmakers may be ready to put new limits on the use of “no-knock” warrants after an infant was severely burned by a flash grenade during an overnight raid by law officers last May in north Georgia.

A bill introduced this month with bipartisan support prevents police from using such warrants overnight without a judge’s specific approval. The issue has come up in Georgia before but the incident in Habersham County that left 19-month-old Bounkham “Bou Bou” Phonesavanh with serious injuries when the grenade detonated in his playpen has prompted some officials to reconsider.

Law enforcement officials say they support the changes.

Some Democrats want to go further and have introduced bills putting more limits on the raids and requiring police to start wearing body cameras.

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