Our police officers

Whenever a police officer is bashed or abused, we all take a hit.

That is because the police are community proxies.

They are our protectors and law enforcers.

They are an integral and essential part of what makes a peaceful and effectively functioning society.

As such, we all have a fundamental interest in them, their work and their safety.

What then can be done about increasing violence against police officers, brought into focus by three violent assaults last weekend?

In South Auckland on Friday, an off-duty officer was beaten unconscious by a group of youths after he tried to break up a fight.

On Saturday, near Whangarei, an officer's lip was chewed off by a suspected drunk driver.

And on Sunday night, an Oamaru police officer was knocked to the ground and repeatedly kicked by a carload of people after the vehicle's driver failed a breath test.

The latter incident shows just how close to home such brutality is.

In other southern centres, too, police have been subject to violence and disrespect, both by individuals and mobs of youths.

Drug and alcohol abuse often trigger out-of-control behaviour, and the battle on these fronts is relentless.

Violence, one way or another, has always been part of New Zealand culture, but it has veered towards the more nasty in the public sphere.

Decency, respect and community responsibility have weakened and the police are suffering because of that.

It is a long and difficult road to strengthen conscience and concern.

Police Minister Judith Collins proclaims that respect and fear for the law is needed.

She says she will look at harsher penalties for those who attack police officers.

With the backing of the Prime Minister, penalties against those who assault police will be reassessed, including whether it should be mandatory that such attacks be an aggravating factor in sentencing.

The law at present gives judges discretion on whether that should be the case.

At first reading, the proposals seem sensible.

Everything practical should be done to protect the men and woman in blue, and the proposals do need considering - even the idea that assaults on police officers come under the three strikes policy.