April 2002 Volume 83 Number 4
"serving the protectors"
| April 2002 Volume 83 Number 4 "serving the protectors" |
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Increase in assaults on police
So far this financial year, 628 police officers have been assaulted in the line of duty. These assaults number more than those that occurred through the entire 2000-01 financial year, when the statistic was 616. This is unacceptable. The Police Association will soon contact every member of state parliament about this alarming trend.
In sentencing offenders convicted of assaulting police, the judiciary should consider the deterrent factor. And, for sentences to act as a disincentive, parliament must look to increase penalties and mandatory imprisonment for serious assaults and recidivists.
Despite improvements in training and equipment, the threat of assault is omnipresent in police work. We must, however, not become complacent when assaults occur.
Further, we must ensure the court system plays its part in supporting the men and women who put their personal safety on the line for their communities.
Assaults on any members of the community are unacceptable. But, when a police officer is intentionally assaulted and injured, we should all expect those responsible to receive appropriate penalties.
PETER ALEXANDER
PRESIDENT
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