The bill would create a new offence under the Crimes Act to protect first responders, defined as police, emergency health and fire service staff, and prison officers. The bill would create a new offence under the Crimes Act to protect first responders, defined as police, emergency health and fire service staff, and prison officers. Injuring them with intent would see a mandatory prison term of at least six months - unless manifestly unjust. The bill has the support of Labour, the Greens and the National Party, though they all have reservations about a mandatory minimum sentence. “We’ll support this through to select committee for further consideration, though we do have some questions around mandatory minimum sentencing.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 03, 2019 07:37 UTC