Tough penalties for police assaults have bi-partisan support

The Queensland Government’s tough penalties for people who assault police officers were supported unanimously in State Parliament last year.

Attorney-General Kerry Shine said today the Government secured the support of Parliament to provide a maximum penalty of seven years’ jail for people assaulting police officers, including those who spit or bite police officers.

“Our police officers perform a very difficult, but essential role in our community. They deserve respect,” Mr Shine said.

“Some of the people who disobey and ignore our laws have no respect for the men and women who work in the Queensland Police Service. These people have lashed out our police officers.”

“That is why the Government asked Parliament last year to endorse stronger penalties for those people who assault our police officers.”

The Opposition justice spokesman Mark McArdle applauded the Government’s move last year, claiming the penalties “certainly will provide a deterrent to those who would engage in such anti-social behaviour against police officers.”

Analysis of cases where people have been charged with assaulting police has indicated that last year 123 people whose most serious offence was seriously assaulting a police officer were sent to prison.

The sentences imposed ranged from a period of less than six months up to more than three years.

8 August 2007
Media contact: Kirby Anderson 3239 6400