Published Monday, 25 June, 2007 at 06:01 PM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
ASSAULTS ON POLICE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED
Police Minister Judy Spence has warned, anyone charged with a serious assault on a police officer faces tough penalties.
“Police in this state work very hard to protect the community and it is a disgrace that people, particularly young men, would target them during the course of their duties,” Ms Spence said.
“This government will not let our police officers be treated like punching bags.
“Currently, anyone in Queensland charged with serious assault faces up to 7 years imprisonment.
“Last year, I introduced new laws to also make spitting, biting or throwing bodily fluids at an officer a serious assault, under the Criminal Code. If an assault is classed as grievous bodily harm, the penalty can be up to life imprisonment.
“This should act as a strong deterrent to anyone coming into contact with police.”
Ms Spence said calls for mandatory prison sentences for assaults on police would not solve the problem.
“In most cases, assaults on police officers happen in the heat of the moment,” Ms Spence said
“Offenders do not necessarily consider the consequences when they act in this abhorrent manner.
“It is up to the courts to determine the circumstances and the penalties for each individual case.”
Ms Spence said Rob Messenger’s proposed anti-gatecrashing laws appear to replicate trespass law that already exist.
“We already have tough trespassing laws, under which unwanted visitors can be charged,” Ms Spence said.
“The biggest difficulty for police is determining who is in fact trespassing or gatecrashing.
“The Youth Violence Taskforce, of which I am Chair, is already investigating ways to combat this problem and preliminary recommendations are looking at further promotion of the Party Safe initiative.
“Parents are urged to register their parties with police, and hosts should only send out physical invitations, which must be presented for entry at a party.
“I implore people not to advertise via mediums such as MySpace, Facebook, YouTube and mobile phones, as this can further escalate the problem.”
More Information: Nicola Hazell – 3239 6172/ 0408 732 491
“Police in this state work very hard to protect the community and it is a disgrace that people, particularly young men, would target them during the course of their duties,” Ms Spence said.
“This government will not let our police officers be treated like punching bags.
“Currently, anyone in Queensland charged with serious assault faces up to 7 years imprisonment.
“Last year, I introduced new laws to also make spitting, biting or throwing bodily fluids at an officer a serious assault, under the Criminal Code. If an assault is classed as grievous bodily harm, the penalty can be up to life imprisonment.
“This should act as a strong deterrent to anyone coming into contact with police.”
Ms Spence said calls for mandatory prison sentences for assaults on police would not solve the problem.
“In most cases, assaults on police officers happen in the heat of the moment,” Ms Spence said
“Offenders do not necessarily consider the consequences when they act in this abhorrent manner.
“It is up to the courts to determine the circumstances and the penalties for each individual case.”
Ms Spence said Rob Messenger’s proposed anti-gatecrashing laws appear to replicate trespass law that already exist.
“We already have tough trespassing laws, under which unwanted visitors can be charged,” Ms Spence said.
“The biggest difficulty for police is determining who is in fact trespassing or gatecrashing.
“The Youth Violence Taskforce, of which I am Chair, is already investigating ways to combat this problem and preliminary recommendations are looking at further promotion of the Party Safe initiative.
“Parents are urged to register their parties with police, and hosts should only send out physical invitations, which must be presented for entry at a party.
“I implore people not to advertise via mediums such as MySpace, Facebook, YouTube and mobile phones, as this can further escalate the problem.”
More Information: Nicola Hazell – 3239 6172/ 0408 732 491