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Violence against German police rising
BERLIN, (UPI) -- Germany is considering a law to increase punishments for attacking police officers in response to rising violence aimed at law enforcement, officials say.
The country's interior ministers have moved to create more protection for police after a government study showed violence against officers increased dramatically in the last five years, Deutsche Welle reported Friday.
"Our policemen protect our freedom, our lives, and the property of all citizens," German Interior Minister Thomas de Maizeire said, "and therefore require special protection against attacks."
Ministers agreed to increase the maximum penalty from two to three years, with incidents of serious abuse, such as hitting or kicking an officer, receiving a maximum sentence of five years.
German Justice Minister Sabine Leuthhauser-Schnarrenberger said she would support the increased penalties, although she said she was "not prepared to implement a minimum prison sentence on attacks against police officers," Deutsche Welle reported.
BERLIN, (UPI) -- Germany is considering a law to increase punishments for attacking police officers in response to rising violence aimed at law enforcement, officials say.
The country's interior ministers have moved to create more protection for police after a government study showed violence against officers increased dramatically in the last five years, Deutsche Welle reported Friday.
"Our policemen protect our freedom, our lives, and the property of all citizens," German Interior Minister Thomas de Maizeire said, "and therefore require special protection against attacks."
Ministers agreed to increase the maximum penalty from two to three years, with incidents of serious abuse, such as hitting or kicking an officer, receiving a maximum sentence of five years.
German Justice Minister Sabine Leuthhauser-Schnarrenberger said she would support the increased penalties, although she said she was "not prepared to implement a minimum prison sentence on attacks against police officers," Deutsche Welle reported.