(AP) – A Missouri lawmaker wants ramped-up penalties for those
who assault police officers in the wake of what law enforcement officials say is
an alarming spike in ambush-style attacks.
Republican state Sen. Doug Libla on Wednesday said he’s drafting legislation
for the session that begins in January.
Missouri law currently allows for increased penalties for so-called special
victims, including law enforcement. Libla wants to take that further.
Republican Gov.-elect Eric Greitens also says he’ll push for the “strictest
possible punishments” for assaulting police.
Libla’s announcement comes after a St. Louis police sergeant was shot twice in
the face Sunday evening while he sat in traffic in a marked police vehicle. He
was released from a hospital Monday.
The shooting was one of four across the country Sunday involving police
officers.
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