House endorses tougher penalties for crimes against law enforcement
The state House is close to proposing greater penalties for those who commit certain crimes against law enforcement officers.
Representative Marsha Haefner (photo; Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications)
House Bill 57 aims to increase by one degree the penalty for voluntary or involuntary manslaughter, first- or second-degree property damage, unlawful use of a weapon, rioting, or first-degree trespassing, when those crimes are committed against a law enforcement officer.
It’s sponsored by St. Louis Republican Marsha Haefner, who said she hoped the bill would deter the committing of crimes against law enfrocment.
Some Republicans expressed reservations about the proposal. Cedar Hill Representative Shane Roden, a firefighter and reserve deputy sheriff, said he was not supportive of changes from an earlier version that would have increased penalties in crimes committed against other first responders, including firefighters. He spoke of an attack on his wife, who was attacked in the back of an ambulance two years ago.
Roden attempted to change the bill to extend to all first responders, but his amendment was defeated.
Kansas City Democrat Brandon Ellington believes the House shouldn’t be debating this issue when he and many Democrats believe it hasn’t done enough to respond to the 2014 shooting by a Ferguson police officer of Michael Brown or the unrest that followed.
St. Charles Republican Kathie Conway is married to a retired police officer. She said the bill would reinforce the legislature’s commitment to law enforcement.
Representatives Brandon Ellington (left) and Bruce Franks, Jr. (right) stand on either side of Representative Tommie Pierson, Jr. (photo; Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications)
St. Louis City Democrat Bruce Franks, Junior, cited two of his family members who were law enforcement officers that were shot and killed. He said for that and other reasons, it is difficult to oppose House Bill 57.
Kimberling City Republican Don Phillips, a retired Highway Patrol trooper, said he has no problem with the bill treating law enforcement like they are special.
The House also gave initial approval to House Bills 302 and 228, which would create a Blue Alert System. It would be meant to help identify, find, and apprehend anyone suspected of seriously injuring or killing a law enforcement officer. The system would send out messages over television and radio about those suspected of such crimes.
House Bills 302, 228, and 57 all need one more favorable vote to be sent to the state Senate.