Attacks on police and prison guards will attract harsher sentences as the government moves to take a hard line on attacks on enforcement officers.
The Sentencing (Aggravating Factors) Amendment Bill passed it second reading in parliament on Wednesday. When passed the bill will make offending against police and prison officers an aggravating factor at sentencing.
"We want to ensure this abhorrent behaviour is taken into account by judges when sentencing offenders," Justice Minister Judith Collins said.
"This bill sends a strong signal that assaults against police and Corrections officers will not be tolerated."
An increasing number of assaults on officers in recent years was unacceptable, Ms Collins said.
"This bill ensures that our officers are given the level of protection they deserve."
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