In a move to bolster protection for law enforcement officers, State Representative Kip Capley has introduced a new legislation that aims to elevate the penalty for assaulting a police officer. The proposed bill seeks to reclassify this offense from a Class A misdemeanor to a more severe Class E felony.
Data from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation reveals a troubling trend, with an average of 440 officers falling victim to assaults each year over the past five years. To address this concerning issue, the bill outlines that individuals found guilty of assaulting a police officer would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 60 days in addition to a hefty $10,000 fine.
If the legislation is passed, it is slated to come into effect on July 1, marking a significant step towards safeguarding the brave men and women who serve on the front lines of law enforcement.