Vic: Tougher laws already exist for cop bashers: Brumby

AAP General News (Australia)
08-24-2009
Vic: Tougher laws already exist for cop bashers: Brumby

MELBOURNE, Aug 24 AAP - Offenders who assault police are already subject to tough penalties
without the need for mandatory sentencing, Victorian Premier John Brumby says.

The Police Association has called for mandatory jail terms for those who bash police
after a sergeant had his jaw and eye socket fractured when he was attacked by a group
of revellers in Melbourne's CBD at the weekend.

Mr Brumby said there were tougher penalties enshrined in the legislation for people
who assault police but he couldn't say whether they were reflected in the penalties imposed
by the courts.

"In the legislation there's tougher penalties which apply to anyone who assaults a
police officer," Mr Brumby told reporters on Monday.

"So if an ordinary citizen is assaulted in the street there's a set of penalties, if
it's a police officer there is a harsher set of penalties, as it should be.

"The fact is we've had a debate about these things and that debate resulted in increased
penalties and it's for the courts to administer that.

"It is absolutely crucial that the public understands it is never acceptable to hit
a police officer. They're doing they're job, they're maintaining law, they're maintaining
order and so there are steeper and harsher penalties already written into the statute
books. How they're applied is a matter for the courts."

AAP cmb/pmu

KEYWORD: VIOLENCE BRUMBY

2009 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.