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Increasing penalties has limited value because people who act impulsively don't stop to think that they might get caught and weigh up the likely penalties. There are already major penalties available for assault. The issue is whether they're being applied appropriately.
More importantly, how do some people grow up thinking its OK to go around bashing other people? A change in attitude is the key here. However, history tells us we will always have some of these people with us, which is why we need people to enforce the standards society as a whole wants followed. Naming and shaming those who are proven to have behaved badly can also discourage others from copying their behaviour.
Also, personally, I think reducing opening hours in pubs, such as a return to an 11pm close, might reduce the amount of street violence in areas with a concentration of pubs. People who drink with meals in restaurants don't seem to behave as badly as those who just drink a lot in pubs.
There is also a theory that rich people get drunk at home behind closed doors while poorer people get drunk in public, but I'm not sure that is so true now since this country became one of the richest in the world. Even our poor are relatively affluent by world standards.
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I'm approaching 30yrs in the job, and in my opinion there have been some great comments here.
Firstly the vast majority of coppers are firstly members of the community, we have families, relations, clubs, hobbies, etc. We are just like each and every other member of our society to most extent.
There are always extremes of the middle ground, not only in society, but in every occupation. There are sales assistance, waiters, road workers, nurses who should have stayed at home instead of bringing their issues to work on any given day. I can't see "not being 100%" as being a plausible reason for a sick day. So unfortunately (or fortunately) I accept the fact that not everyone every day will be at their best.
On the original post, in regards penalties.....
I actually agree that we all get the same penalty regardless of occupation given each set of circumstances. Can I highlight that every case I've seen of a police officer being disciplined either in courts or by the department, the penalty is always higher than a member of the public would expect. SO, IF the public expect police to be dealt higher penalties when they break the rules, THEN those that assault police should get higher penalties also. ;)
We are either equal as members of society, or we aren't.
Lastly, Evolution has a lot to do with what is happening in society..... People are a lot less likely to speak up when a kid is misbehaving. Parents don't set rules, or give their siblings guidance as much as they used too (and I'm not going anywhere near the hitting debate, let's leave that right alone).
As members of the community we need to be vocal on what is acceptable. A lot of younger people don't have the luxury of a guided upbringing. Community needs to be supportive.
"The standard you see and say nothing, is the standard you accept!"
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I think the police by the very nature of their job, place themselves in dangerous situations more than a general member of the public would. It is generally accepted as being part of the job, I for one would not like to pull a hoon over on a dark road and walk up to his car to have a "chat" not knowing what to expect.
Constable David Rixon who was killed at Tamworth recently was just doing his job when he pulled a lunatic over who subsequently killed him. I believe constable Rixon even managed to handcuff his killer before he collapsed. Now that's a dedicated police officer.
So should the penalities be heavier for killing a police officer or emergency services people for just doing their job????
I understand what posters such as Mick Marsh say but I think the answer should be, yes. Sure, cops have bad days like everyone else, I have been pulled over for breath tests and the like and some cops talk to you quite civily and a couple I have come across have talked to me like a pig. This upsets me because I have not broken any law.
The thin blue line is a civilised society's last line of defence against anarchy.
Anyrate, that's my 2c worth and I for one wouldn't like their job dealing with the dregs of society, must make you feel bitter and twisted after 30 years of it.
