Member

The speaking note might also say that the amendment is unnecessary because sentencers already have the discretion to treat this as an aggravating factor. Of course, it would be quite correct in that respect. However, it is already a criminal offence to assault anyone, but we make special additional provision for assaulting an emergency worker or a police officer. We do that—some would say, benignly—to improve public confidence and the confidence of those vital workers; some would say it is slightly performative. None the less, that is one side of the equation. The other side of the equation is that the public should understand that it is a very serious matter, and with power comes responsibility. For a serving or past officer to behave as some have done in recent years is a very serious matter and must be viewed as such if we believe in the rule of law and we are to have public confidence in policing. In subsection (2) of the new clause in Amendment 425, it is suggested that a court deciding that aggravation is not required in a particular sentence for a police officer would explain why.