Racialized Lived Experiences of No-Knock Raids in Canadian Policing

• In Event: Examining the Role of Race and Culture in Schools and Communities

Abstract

A no-knock police raid is a law enforcement tactic where officers enter a private dwelling without prior notice. 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. In response, this qualitative study explores the lived experiences of five racialized individuals (4 Black and 1 South Asian) subjected to no-knock police raids in Ontario. Interviews were conducted in 2022 followed with thematic analysis grounded in critical race theory. Findings reveal themes of psychological trauma, social withdrawal, and mistrust in law enforcement and contribute to broader literature on how to improve policing tactics to mitigate harm by preventing unintended collateral harm and better protect privacy rights.

Authors

• Tina-Nadia Chambers, University of Guelph

• Ardavan Eizadirad, Wilfrid Laurier University