(KMJ) Targeting a police officer in California could become a hate crime. Republican Assemblyman Jay Obernolte of Hesperia has introduced legislation which would permit additional criminal penalties for those convicted of targeting a peace officer.
Obernolte says his bill sends the message that violence against the men and women who put their lives on the line for the public — will not be tolerated.
Conviction of a hate crime can result in an additional one to three years in state prison being added to an offender’s sentence.
“Violence targeted specifically against public safety officers is a hate crime and should be treated as such,” said Assemblyman Obernolte. “Our police officers put their lives on the line every day and it’s deeply disturbing when they are intentionally targeted because of their profession. Given the outbreak of the recent attacks against police officers, this law is necessary to send a message to these criminals that their reprehensible behavior will not be tolerated.”
