The Prime Minister says a plan to toughen up punishments for people who attack first responders is “entirely appropriate” to ensure the safety of those workers.
Yesterday, the Government announced that people who assaulted on-duty police officers, firefighters, paramedics, or prison officers would face longer prison sentences under new criminal offences.
Those who assaulted with intent to injure would face up to five years in jail, while those who injured with intent could receive up to seven years — an offence that would also trigger the Three Strikes regime, requiring mandatory minimum sentences.
Under the proposed legislation, an existing provision for assaulting police would be expanded to cover paramedics, firefighters and prison officers with a maximum sentence of up to three years’ imprisonment.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told Breakfast he felt it was “entirely appropriate” to impose harsher sentences on people who assaulted front line workers.
“These are people that rushing into very difficult circumstances to try to help their fellow citizens, their fellow Kiwi. These are the people that are on the frontline, trying to help us when we’re in really difficult times and they need to be protected,” he said.
“It’s not right that if you’re a paramedic and you’re going there to try and help someone, you get bashed or assaulted. So you’ve got to have some serious consequences for that. That’s unacceptable.”
He said he wanted the rules to be “really explicit”.
“I want our police officers; I want our paramedics; I want our firefighters; I want our prison officers to feel safe.
“And I actually want to make sure we’ve done everything we possibly can to do so. If the message is, there’s going to be a serious consequence for bashing a first responder, then, I’m sorry but we’re doing it.
Asked if harsher penalties would be a deterrent, Luxon said: “It might well be. And I don’t care. I want it done because I want those people protected.”
“There just needs to be zero tolerance for it. I mean, I’m sorry, but we have rights and responsibilities and when our fellow citizens are there to try and help you, they don’t deserve to be bashed or assaulted in any way.
New legislation aims to deliver stronger consequences for offenders targeting emergency workers as attacks on first responders increase. (Source: 1News)
Luxon said tougher sentences was “just one of many things that we’re doing” to tackle the issue.
“We’re also making sure we’re getting proper mental health support for call outs, so that police aren’t carrying the can when most of their calls have been for mental health issues.
“We actually want the mental health professionals to be there, when people are really experiencing crisis.
“But I just don’t think there’s any excuse for why you shouldn’t do this, I honestly don’t.”
An earlier version of the legislation from NZ First MP Darroch Ball was voted down ahead of its third reading in 2020. It would have introduced a minimum six-month mandatory sentence for assaults on police, corrections officers, paramedics, nurse and fire services.
Yesterday, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters told 1News the bill had long been a priority for his party, and was now confident it would pass into law.
Labour justice spokesperson Duncan Webb said first responders did a tough job and needed to be protected both by the law and by being properly paid and supported.
The Police Association said it welcomed the intent of the legislation and looked forward to considering the details of the bill when they were released.
