7.22.20 - After Attacks on Police, Senate Democrats Reject Republican 'Protect Those Who Protect Us' Package

Albany, NY — Senate Democrats today unanimously rejected a Senate Republican Conference amendment to protect law enforcement officers, who face increased attacks and  animosity while on duty thanks to pervasive anti-police rhetoric and pro-criminal policies like bail reform and defunding the police.

Source: NYPD Compstat

In a chilling attack in New York City, the NYPD’s highest ranking officer Chief Terence Monahan and other officers were brutally beaten as they protected a pro-police Unity rally with clergy members crossing the Brooklyn Bridge. The suspect who struck Chief Monahan was released without bail.
 
While law enforcement officers face increased threat, so does the public across the state where crime is rising as a result of Democrat policies.
 
The ‘Protect Those Who Protect Us’ package, endorsed by the New York State Sheriff’s Association, would deter violence against law enforcement by increasing penalties on existing crimes and creating new categories of crimes as a result of new types of attacks. It includes: 

• Increasing the penalty for resisting arrest to a Class E felony;
• Creating a Class D felony for failing to retreat,  if an individual defies an order to move 25 feet while an officer is performing his or her duties;
• Increasing assault on a police officer by one degree for the current crimes pertaining to assault upon a police officer, and make all of them crimes for which a judge could require the posting of bail;
• Creating a Class D felony of Aggravated Harassment of a Police or Peace Officer if an officer is struck by any substance or object including, but not limited to, bottles, rocks, bodily fluids, spittle, urine, seminal fluid, feces, flammable liquids or other noxious, hazardous or dangerous substances or objects;
• Making any crime committed against a police officer because of his or her status as a police officer a hate crime, with the concomitant increase in penalty as is currently provided with respect to hate crimes against members of other protected groups;
• Making it a Class D Felony, to falsely accuse a police officer or peace officer of wrongdoing in the performance of his or her duties, and create a private right of civil action for the officer against the false accuser;
• Making it a Class D Felony to dox a police officer or peace officer because of the officer’s status as a police or peace officer, or to dox any other person because of that person’s relationship to, or affiliation with, a police or peace officer;
• Making it a Class E Felony to follow or surveil a police or peace officer for no legitimate purpose, whether such officer is on or off duty, or to approach within one hundred yards of the private residence or place of lodging of a police officer, without the consent of said officer, for reasons related to the officer’s status or service as a police or peace officer, or for the purpose of intimidating the officer or the officer’s family;
• Providing a $500,000 benefit for police officers who are seriously disabled or die from injuries incurred in the line of duty; and
• Making Police Memorial Day on May 15 a State holiday in honor of the more than 1500 police officers who have died in the line of duty in New York.

After standing with local Sheriffs and police prior to the day’s session, Senate Republicans brought the ‘Protecting Those Who Protect Us Package’ to the Senate floor as an amendment. The Democrat Majority voted unanimously against it.

“Everyday New York’s law-abiding citizens are waking up to see the chaos and lawlessness willfully created and supported by Albany’s One Party Rule. Everyday they watch as more New Yorkers needlessly lose their lives and hardworking police officers are vilified and abandoned by our leaders and physically attacked by criminals with no consequences. Unless One Party Rule wakes up from this nightmare that they themselves have created, the voters will surely deliver the wakeup call One Party Rule deserves on Election Day,” said Senator Fred Akshar.

“Democrat silence on the violence towards police is unconscionable. Their vote today against protecting law enforcement who are assaulted on the job sends the wrong message. Republicans want the public to know that we will always protect those who protect us. Democrats have defied  common sense by creating an environment where law enforcement is under attack and violence on residents is skyrocketing. We will continue to advance this important package of bills,” said Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt.
 
“Our Senate Republican ‘Protect Those Who Protect Us’ package, which emanates from and is supported by the New York State Sheriffs’ Association, would deter violence against law enforcement by increasing penalties on existing crimes and creating new categories of crimes because of new types of attacks. Sadly, we’ve seen our best and bravest endure acts of violence, threats, and attempted intimidation. Police officers have been punched, kicked, shot, stabbed, and hit with bottles, bricks, and brass knuckles. They’ve had rocks, Molotov Cocktails, and every disgusting insult imaginable hurled at them. Each time, the Blue Line has stood strong. Now’s the time for state government to stand with and speak up on behalf of the courageous men and women of law enforcement, and show them that we will always have their backs,” Senator Daphne Jordan said.
 
“Law enforcement officers have one of the most difficult jobs in society and often face life and death situations. The vast majority of these men and women are dedicated public servants, committed to protect our communities. This legislation provides additional support to police officers, sheriff's deputies, corrections officers and others. It also holds those individuals who target law enforcement officers or interfere with their ability to do their job accountable for their actions,” said Senator Gallivan.
 
“Author George Orwell once said that in a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act. The only folks telling the truth about the lawlessness and disorder on our streets and disrespect for our police is the Senate Republican Conference. Safety is job one for any government in any society. Today, the Governor and other elected Democrats are failing in that basic duty. Why? Fear. Fear that standing up for the rule of law will lead to criticism from the mob and condemnation from the radical left. We are not afraid because we know that support for equality and law and order are not mutually exclusive. We understand that the overwhelming majority of our police are doing great work in our communities and that they deserve our respect and our support. This package of bills provides law enforcement with the protection and the tools they need to restore order to our communities. As we see violent crime on the rise all across the state, will the Senate Democrats stand with us and protect their constituents or will they continue to placate the nihilists on our streets?” said Senator Rich Funke.

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