Mostler penalties for attacks on paramedics and other officers. The government adopted the project

The government adopted the provisions tightening penalties for assaulting officers, including medical rescuers and doctors as well as citizens undertaking intervention. Penalties for violating their inviolability will increase from 3 to 5 years and are to counteract the growing number of attacks on these people.

The draft act amending the acts – the Penal Code, the Code of Offenses and the Code of Conduct in cases of offenses was prepared in the Ministry of Justice and is to ensure more effective protection against violence for public officials, paramedics and citizens who have assistance.

The draft refers to two provisions of the Penal Code talking about violation of the inviolability of the person who undertakes the intervention to protect security, for which he is currently threatened with up to two years in prison and violation of the officer's inviolability in connection with the performance of official duties, for which he is currently threatening to three years in prison.

The Council of Ministers said in a statement that the adopted project provides for more severe penalties for violence against interveners and greater protection against verbal aggression: for an attack on a policeman, a fireman, a paramedic or a person saving others (e.g. stops the attacker, separates the fight, saves in fire), he will be punishable by 3 months to 5 years in prison. Citizens undertaking intervention will also be covered by the same protection as public officials; Until now, the punishment for violating the inviolability of the officer was up to 3 years, and towards a citizen saving others – up to 2 years in prison.

In turn, a person who will be insulted during the intervention (e.g. insults, threats) will be able to count on the fact that the perpetrator will be dealt with not only by the prosecutor's office not only at the private request, but ex officio. For aggressive behavior in a public place, e.g. in a hospital or office, there will be a penalty of arrest, restriction of liberty or a fine of PLN 1000-5000 (currently fines are from PLN 100 to PLN 500). The same penalty will face disturbing peace and public order under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

It has been added that the court will have to publish a judgment (e.g. on the website) – at the request of the victim – if the perpetrator is convicted of violence against an officer or a person saving others.

If someone is caught in the act of the attack, then the police will be obliged, and not just the possibility, keep him and lead to court.

Government spokesman Adam Szłapka, answering the question of journalists, assured that there were no contraindications that the act was considered at the next sitting of the Sejm. He stipulated that the decision belonged to the Speaker of the Sejm.

According to MS, the provisions are to be a complement to the provision already functioning in the Code on the assault on an officer using a “dangerous object or overpowering measure”. As indicated, there are currently difficulties in clearly determining what can be a “dangerous object” – that's why the new recipe emphasizes the exposure of the victim's life, and not to the objects used for attack.

The adopted solutions are to come into force 14 days after the announcement in the Journal of Laws. (PAP)

ZS/ Jann/