What must officers have to execute a warrant legally?

To execute a warrant legally, officers must possess a signed and dated warrant. This document serves as the legal authorization from a judge or magistrate, allowing law enforcement to carry out a search or an arrest at a specified location or against a particular individual. The warrant outlines the scope of the action and is essential for ensuring that the officers are acting within the bounds of the law.

Having a signed and dated warrant protects citizens' rights, ensuring that searches or arrests are conducted based on probable cause and judicial approval rather than arbitrary action by the police. Other elements, such as backup forces or legal counsel, may be beneficial for the officers involved, but they are not required to fulfill the basic legal requirement of having the warrant itself. Similarly, while witness confirmation might support the execution process, it does not satisfy the legal necessity of possessing a valid warrant to act.