Assaults on cops rising

Police union cites lack of respect

THE police union claims a “lack of respect” for officers is behind a near 55 per cent rise in recorded assaults towards police and other emergency workers in Geelong over four years.

Police Association Victoria secretary Wayne Gatt said the “worrying trend” of more police assaults was reflected in a violent Point Lonsdale incident this year.

An analysis of Crime Statistics Agency data has found the number of assaults against police, emergency services or other authorised officers in Greater Geelong grew from 51 in 2014 to 79 last year.

“This is an incredibly worrying trend for us, it points to the increasing lack of respect some elements of the community have for police, as we saw when police were pelted with bottles by a large group of youths at a beach party in Point Lonsdale earlier this year,” Mr Gatt said.

“It was reflected in a recent survey of our members in which two out of every three members surveyed revealed that they had been assaulted on the job.”

Last year there were 21 more assaults committed against emergency workers than the previous year — a 26 per cent increase.

“Every time police respond to a job, they risk their health and safety. We have seen a large increase in criminals ramming police cars in recent years, and several incidents of police being assaulted in the course of their duties in recent months,” Mr Gatt said.

Last November, the State Government introduced a Bill for tougher laws to protect police and emergency service workers from violence.

The laws, which took effect in April, mean offenders who put police and emergency service workers at risk now face up to 20 years behind bars.

A statutory two-year minimum jail term is to be imposed if an on-duty police officer or emergency worker is injured by an offender who has intentionally exposed the worker to risk by driving.

Police Minister Lisa Neville launched a trial of police-worn body cameras in late April. Up to 150 cameras were issued to officers in Epping and Ballarat.

Liberal South Barwon MP Andrew Katos said the Opposition was supportive of the new laws, but they needed to be backed up by the court system. He said a Liberal government would bring back the police in schools program, which he hoped would lead to greater respect for law enforcers.

Mr Gatt said any form of violence towards police or emergency service workers in the line of duty “is abhorrent”.

“Our tough new laws send a clear message that it will not be tolerated,” Mr Gatt said.