LEGISLATION to protect ACT police will be introduced in the forthcoming sitting of the Legislative Assembly.

Calling on support from Labor and the Greens, Opposition Leader Zed Seselja says the move follows a spate of assaults and drunken violence in Civic.

“We must do everything we can to deter violent assaults and other offences against police in the course of their duties,” he said.

“This legislation will send a very clear message: offences against police will result in strong penalties.”

The Liberals are seeking to amend the Crimes ACT 1900 to provide tougher penalties for offences against police, meaning a number of offences including assault, manslaughter and threats to kill would be considered an “aggravated” offence and have higher prosecution penalties.

“The legislation applies if an offence is committed against a police officer while on the job or in relation to any actions taken in their official capacity,” Seselja said.

Opposition police spokesman Jeremy Hanson said the legislation would bring the ACT in line with other States, which already had strong laws around offences against police.

“It’s unsatisfactory that our officers aren’t protected by tougher penalties for assaults and other offences which are already in place in many other states,” Mr Hanson said.