
Photo courtesy Missourinet
COLUMBIA, Mo. (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.