Published Saturday, 01 December, 2007 at 03:25 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Assaults on Police Continue to Decrease: Spence
Police Minister Judy Spence today said the number of assaults on police has decreased by 16 per cent in the past three years.
“While any assault on a police officer is unacceptable, it is pleasing to see the number of assaults is decreasing,” Ms Spence said.
“In 2004/05 there were 2,850 assaults on Queensland police officers, in 2005/06 there were 2,646 assaults and in 2006/07 there were 2,400 assaults.
“These assaults ranged from grievous and serious assaults, to common assaults.
“This steady drop shows people are getting the message that seriously assaulting a police officer could result in a prison sentence.”
Ms Spence said the State Government has introduced tougher measures for dealing with people who assault police.
“Under laws I introduced last year, offences such as spitting, biting or throwing bodily fluids at an officer, are now classed as serious assault and carry a maximum 7 year sentence,” Ms Spence said.
“If an assault is classed as grievous bodily harm, the penalty can be up to life imprisonment.
“We do not tolerate assaults on our police, who work very hard to keep the community safe.
“It is a disgrace that people, particularly young men, would target our officers during the course of their duties.”
Ms Spence said assaults on police can cause substantial grief for officers and their families.
“Officers assaulted on the job can suffer both physical and mental trauma,” Ms Spence said.
“In the cases of spitting, biting and throwing bodily fluid, officers who are targeted are often faced with an agonising wait, as they under-go tests to determine if they have been infected with a disease.
“We don’t want any of our officers to have to go through this kind of trauma.”
Ms Spence said police are currently trialling a number of devices such as Tasers and Spit Nets, which they believe will help further reduce assaults against officers.
“I want to see the number of these assaults continue to drop, so our officers can go about their jobs of fighting crime, without suffering at the hands of offenders.”
Media Contact: Nicola Hazell – 0439 673 287
“While any assault on a police officer is unacceptable, it is pleasing to see the number of assaults is decreasing,” Ms Spence said.
“In 2004/05 there were 2,850 assaults on Queensland police officers, in 2005/06 there were 2,646 assaults and in 2006/07 there were 2,400 assaults.
“These assaults ranged from grievous and serious assaults, to common assaults.
“This steady drop shows people are getting the message that seriously assaulting a police officer could result in a prison sentence.”
Ms Spence said the State Government has introduced tougher measures for dealing with people who assault police.
“Under laws I introduced last year, offences such as spitting, biting or throwing bodily fluids at an officer, are now classed as serious assault and carry a maximum 7 year sentence,” Ms Spence said.
“If an assault is classed as grievous bodily harm, the penalty can be up to life imprisonment.
“We do not tolerate assaults on our police, who work very hard to keep the community safe.
“It is a disgrace that people, particularly young men, would target our officers during the course of their duties.”
Ms Spence said assaults on police can cause substantial grief for officers and their families.
“Officers assaulted on the job can suffer both physical and mental trauma,” Ms Spence said.
“In the cases of spitting, biting and throwing bodily fluid, officers who are targeted are often faced with an agonising wait, as they under-go tests to determine if they have been infected with a disease.
“We don’t want any of our officers to have to go through this kind of trauma.”
Ms Spence said police are currently trialling a number of devices such as Tasers and Spit Nets, which they believe will help further reduce assaults against officers.
“I want to see the number of these assaults continue to drop, so our officers can go about their jobs of fighting crime, without suffering at the hands of offenders.”
Media Contact: Nicola Hazell – 0439 673 287