New laws have been passed in the Legislative Assembly to provide greater personal protection to the Territory’s police, firefighters and ambulance paramedics as they go about their duties.
Announced by the Minister for Police and Emergency services, Mick Gentleman the Crimes (Protection of Police, Firefighter and Paramedics) Amendment Bill 2019 was introduced into the Assembly this week. (Tuesday 22 October).
Mr Gentleman said the new laws were a strong deterrent against violence towards those who protected and cared for Canberrans and helped ensure that offenders faced appropriate consequences.
“Police officers, firefighters and paramedics are required to step forward and face risks that others are expected [to] step away from and these new laws reflect this vulnerability,” Mr Gentleman said.
“The frequency and severity of assaults against first responders has been a growing concern in the ACT,” he said.
“Creating a separate offence means that offenders’ criminal records will show that they assaulted a police officer, fire fighter or paramedic and supports the clear community expectation that these assaults are unacceptable.”
Mr Gentleman said the reforms also included new offences against driving at police officers or their vehicles, sending a signal that those who ram police will be held to account and face higher penalties.
He said the introduction of specific offences against driving at police officers recognised the vulnerability officers experience while carrying out their duties.
