THE state government is under pressure to introduce mandatory sentencing for attacks on police and emergency service workers, following five police officers being assaulted in the past two weeks.
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A police officer received a broken nose after being spat on and punched in Hobart on Thursday night.
A 41-year-old Hobart man appeared in the Hobart Magistrates Court yesterday charged with two counts of assaulting a police officer and breaching the peace.
Police were called to a block of units and provided advice to guests at a noisy party about 11pm, however four police officers returned to the address about midnight in response to a report of unruly behaviour.
The man and a 41-year-old woman were arrested for breaching the peace, before they refused to comply with police directions.
Assistant Commissioner Phil Wilkinson said an officer was treated at the Royal Hobart Hospital for a broken nose.
It is the second serious assault against a police officer in seven days - a Hobart policewoman was bashed unconscious and sprayed with capsicum spray in Risdon Vale last week.
Two officers were also attacked on Hobart's Waterfront in late July, after a lone officer was assaulted at Derby.
Police Association of Tasmania president Pat Allen said he was concerned by the changing environment where ``police are fair game'' and again called or the government to act with mandatory sentencing laws.
