Attacking emergency services workers is “morally reprehensible”, Tasmania Police Northern District Commander Brett Smith says.
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He spoke to The Examiner following the release of Tasmania Police figures showing 1098 assaults on a police officer had been recorded across the state between July 1, 2012 to May 31 this year.
While the majority of the community had a positive relationship with the police, there had still been 219 assaults recorded in the financial year to May 31, Mr Smith said.
“One assault is one too many,” he said.
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“An assault on anyone is inappropriate.
“It’s clearly a demonstration of a significant lack of respect towards the community from them.”
About 1200 police officers worked around the state, protecting their communities.
The figures have remained relatively stable, with 52 assaults on a police officer recorded in the Northern District in the financial year to May 31 compared to 65 in the previous financial year, but Mr Smith said any assault on an emergency services worker was taken seriously.
“We will without a shadow of a doubt, if any of our people or any emergency service workers are assaulted, prosecute people,” he said.
“Anyone in any modern society ought to know that behaviour is not appropriate irrespective of whether a police officer is acting in the lawful execution of their duty or an emergency services workers is assaulted simply because of their employment.”
Having conversations in the community about the appropriateness of these behaviours was an important step to show violence was not acceptable, Mr Smith said.
“Everyone in this plays a role in trying to influence the behaviour of people who think they can assault police and emergency services workers,” he said.
He welcomed a review of legislation to “give better protection to our people”.
- After launching the Enough is Enough campaign, The Examiner is inviting the community to stand behind the state’s frontline workers and demand change. A petition has been created as part of the campaign, urging the state government to look at the legislation around assaults on police and consider extending it to provide protection for officer even when they are not in uniform. Take a stand and sign at www.communityrun.org/p/enoughisenough
- About 400 people have signed the petition, pledging to treat emergency workers with respect, with Martin.M. commenting “Time to protect those who protect us”.
Tess Brunton
I recently returned from across the ditch where I worked at New Zealand Fairfax paper The Timaru Herald and developed a love of mountains. Originally I'm a mainlander from an area known for cheese, the Bega Valley, who also dabbled in radio at ABC RCAFF before finding a place in newspapers. I can often be found hiking, caving or climbing when I'm not cursing at my work computer or technology in general.
I recently returned from across the ditch where I worked at New Zealand Fairfax paper The Timaru Herald and developed a love of mountains. Originally I'm a mainlander from an area known for cheese, the Bega Valley, who also dabbled in radio at ABC RCAFF before finding a place in newspapers. I can often be found hiking, caving or climbing when I'm not cursing at my work computer or technology in general.
