Protection for First Responders, Prison Officers and Police Dogs Bill

1. Title

This Act is the Protection for First Responders, Prison Officers and Police Dogs Act 2021.

2. Commencement

This Act comes into force on the day after the date on which it receives the Royal assent.

Part 1. Amendments to Crimes Act 1961

3. Principal Act

This Act amends the Crimes Act 1961 (the principal Act).

4. New section 189A inserted (Injuring first responder or prison officer with intent)

After section 189, insert:

189A. Injuring first responder or prison officer with intent

(1) Every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years who—

(a) intentionally injures a first responder or prison officer who is acting in the execution of their duty; or

(b) being reckless as to whether their conduct may lead to that result, injures a first responder or prison officer who is acting in the execution of their duty.

(2) In this section,—

first responder means—

(a) a constable (within the meaning of section 4 of the Policing Act 2008); or

(b) an emergency services worker (within the meaning of section 92(4) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015).

prison officer means an officer within the meaning of section 3(1) of the Corrections Act 2004; and includes a security officer within the meaning of that section.

Part 2. Amendment to Sentencing Act 2002

5. Principal Act

This Part amends the Sentencing Act 2002 (the principal Act).

6. New section 85A and cross-heading inserted

After section 85, insert:

Imposition of minimum period of imprisonment for offence against section 189A of Crimes Act 1961

85A. Imposition of minimum period of imprisonment for offence against section 189A of Crimes Act 1961

(1) This section applies if a court finds an offender guilty of an offence against section 189A of the Crimes Act 1961.

(2) The court must impose a minimum sentence of 6 months imprisonment unless, given the circumstances of the offence and the offender, a sentence of imprisonment would be manifestly unjust.

(3) If a court does not impose a sentence of imprisonment on an offender in accordance with subsection (2), it must give written reasons for not doing so.

Part 3. Amendment to Summary Offences Act 1981

7. Principal Act

This Part amends the Summary Offences Act 1981 (the principal Act).

8. Section 10 amended (Assault on Police, prison, or traffic officer)

(1) In the heading to section 10, replace “Police, prison” with “first responder, prison officer”.

(2) In section 10, replace “constable” with “first responder”.

(3) In section 10, insert as subclause (2):

(2) In this section, first responder means—

(a) a constable (within the meaning of section 4 of the Policing Act 2008); or

(b) an emergency services worker (within the meaning of section 92(4) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015).

Part 4. Amendment to Policing Act 2008

9. Principal Act

This Part amends the Policing Act 2008 (the principal Act).

10. Section 53 replaced (Killing or injuring Police dogs)

Replace section 53 with:

53. Killing Police dogs

A person who intentionally kills a Police dog without lawful authority or reasonable excuse commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding $15,000, or both.

53A. Injuring Police dogs

A person who intentionally maims, wounds, or otherwise injures a Police dog without lawful authority or reasonable excuse commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or a fine not exceeding $15,000, or both.

**Explanatory Note

General Policy Statement

This Bill introduces new protections for first responders in the Crimes Act 1961, Policing Act 2008, Sentencing Act 2002 and the Summary Offences Act 1981.

There has been an increase in assaults against first responders and prison officers with more and more serious injuries occurring as a result. There must be a firm stance against any assault of first responders or prison officers, as they have a duty to prevent crime, harm, injury, or death to New Zealanders.

The public needs confidence that the safety of these important personnel is being preserved and first responders need confidence in their ability to do their job. When a first responder is injured in the line of duty that will impede their ability to save a life or prevent a crime.

Offenders need to think twice before they attempt to assault or injure first responders, as their actions can affect the lives of others.

B.1064 - Protection for First Responders, Prison Officers and Police Dogs Bill is authored by Darroch Ball and Matt Doocey MP (IRL Figures) and sponsored by u/Winston_Wilhelmus (National) on behalf of the government.

Debate will close 16/04/2021 at 11pm NZT.