(WKYT) – A review of more than 1,000 pages of Kentucky State Police investigative records reveals London police may have violated department policies when obtaining and serving a search warrant that led to the deadly shooting of Doug Harless.
Harless was shot and killed inside his home by London police during an attempt to serve a search warrant in December 2024. State police confirmed officers were at the wrong home that night.
Court records show the warrant was tied to stolen lawn equipment taken from a property belonging to Judge Executive David Westerfield.
READ MORE: London police at wrong home in fatal Doug Harless shooting, KSP records show
Warrant description questioned
The London Police Department policy states a search warrant affidavit “should particularly describe the house or place to be searched, including address and physical description of the exterior. A photo is often an invaluable aid.”
The affidavit written by London Police Officer Elbert Riley describes the home as a white double-wide trailer with a covered front porch. The address is listed as 489 Vanzant Road. No photo was included.
Dispatch audio obtained in the days after the shooting revealed officers said they were at 489 Vanzant Road, despite the shooting happening at Harless’ home at 511.
London officers told Kentucky State Police investigators they used “a minimum of four different sources” to identify the location to be searched. They listed Apple Maps, Google Street View, the Laurel County PVA and personal observation by one detective.
KSP investigators said they conducted their own searches for 511 Vanzant Road, writing none of them accurately identified Harless’ home.
[READ THE FULL WARRANT BELOW]
Supervisory roles not documented
London Police Department policy requires a supervisor to approve the service or execution of the search warrant. The supervisor or their designee must act as the Search Supervisor to be in charge of the on-scene execution of the search warrant.
The Search Supervisor is responsible for reviewing the warrant and affidavit, determining how many people and what equipment is needed, and “positively identifying the location to be searched prior to the execution of the warrant.”
Policy also requires the designation of an Entry Team Leader, who is responsible for confirming and directing the Entry Team into the entry area. The Entry Team Leader has “the absolute authority to stop entry at any time if there are any doubts about whether or not a correct entry is about to be made.”
A review of KSP’s interviews with the officers involved shows none mention the assignment of a Search Supervisor or an Entry Team Leader.
[READ THE FULL POLICY BELOW]
Officials promised accountability
Then-Chief of Police Bobby Day and Mayor Randall Weddle said in December they would make personnel and policy changes if wrongdoing was found.
“Yes, absolutely. Absolutely,” Day said when asked if the department was willing to make both personnel and policy changes if the facts deemed it necessary.
“If a valid factual report comes back from that great organization of state police and says wrongdoing was done, heads will roll at that PD,” Weddle said.
Day also said in December that he believes the test of a good search warrant is whether it could be given to any law enforcement agency and they could find the right place.
“With or without a number. Can I take that description and go to this house?” Day said.
A grand jury chose not to indict any of the officers involved in the death of Harless. The decision to change department policies or reprimand any of the officers involved now lies with the London Police Department and the mayor.
London Police and Mayor Randall Weddle did not respond to requests for comment about the possibility of any personnel or policy changes as a result of Harless’ death.