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Added: Feb 8, 2012
A bill which makes offending against Police and Corrections officers an aggravating factor at sentencing passed its second reading in Parliament today.
Justice Minister Judith Collins says the Sentencing (Aggravating Factors) Amendment Bill shows the Government is taking assaults against Police and Corrections officers seriously, by requiring the courts to specifically consider this as an aggravating factor in sentencing offenders.
"Under the current law, it is not mandatory for an offence committed against a law enforcement officer to be an aggravating factor that must be taken into account at sentencing. The Government intends to change that," Ms Collins said.