Police-assault move opposed

THE State Government’s push to extend mandatory jail sentences for attacks on offduty police is being opposed by the legal fraternity.

The Government’s sixth mandatory-jail proposal since coming to power is also likely to face stiff resistance in the Upper House where the Liberals don’t have the numbers.

Law Society of Tasmania president Rohan Foon questioned the need for the new laws given the courts already recognise a victim’s status as an off-duty cop as aggravating.

“We’re always in favour of evidence-based changes to the criminal law but there are far more appropriate and nuanced ways to deal with these sort of issues,” he said.

The Police Association of Tasmania welcomed the changes which would see people who cause serious bodily harm to an off-duty officer jailed for six months.

Association president Pat Allen said an officer was “never really off-duty”.

“With all that in mind, it is only fair legislation that applies to a police officer on-duty, also applies off-duty if they are being targeted because of their position,” he said.

The proposal comes after a single incident in the state’s North where an off-duty officer was assaulted because he was in the police force.

However, even then, the proposed changes would not have applied because he was not seriously injured.

But Police Minister Rene Hidding said discussions with officers had revealed concerns of being assaulted while off duty.

“This will further assist in restoring community respect for those who put their safety on the lines for others, while giving reassurance to their families and friends,” he said.

Prisoners Legal Service chairman Greg Barns said the policy flew in the face of research. “Mandatory sentencing does not work, has never worked and will never work. It has no deterrent effect,” he said.

Shadow Attorney-General Lara Giddings said the Government needed to address the causes of crime “rather than beating their chest”.

“The evidence shows mandatory sentencing does not make people safer in our community,” she said.