10 February 2020
The Northern Territory Police Association (NTPA) has ramped up calls for mandatory custodial sentences for offenders found guilty of attacking police.
NTPA President, Paul McCue, said the attack on a female officer who was allegedly punched in the face multiple times by a 19-year-old man in the community of Wurrumiyanga, and an alleged spitting incident at Parap demonstrates the need for an urgent re-think on current legislation.
“Police and other emergency service workers put their lives on the line every day to protect the community. It’s absolutely disgraceful they are being attacked while just doing their job. There’s simply no excuse.
“Mandatory custodial sentences are a necessary deterrent and would bring the Northern Territory’s laws in line with community expectations.
“We acknowledge our members attend some incredibly dangerous and volatile situations, but they should not do so, expecting to be seriously harmed on a regular basis.
“It’s time to join states such as Victoria and Western Australia, where offenders found guilty of assaulting police face mandatory imprisonment. We want to see the same penalties explored in the Northern Territory as an absolute priority, where an average of 230 police officers are assaulted every year,” said Mr McCue.
ENDS
Please direct all media enquiries to media@ntpa.com.au or by phone +61 (0) 8 8995 9520
The Northern Territory Police Association (NTPA) is the industrial voice of all members of the Northern Territory Police Force. Read more via www.ntpa.com.au or join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NTPoliceAssociation
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