HARRISBURG, April 12, 2006 - State Sen. Michael Stack has signed on as a co-sponsor for legislation that would mandate a first-degree murder charge for anyone who intentionally or knowingly kills a police officer in the line of duty.

“We have to be serious in punishing those who would commit crimes against our law enforcement officers,” said Stack (D-Philadelphia). “If we don’t protect our law enforcement officers, we’re all going to be in danger.”

Senate Bill 1108 is named “Faulkner’s Law” after Daniel Faulkner, a Philadelphia police officer who was killed in the line of duty in 1981. According to the Pennsylvania State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, 696 Pennsylvania police officers have been killed in the line of duty.

The legislation mandates a first-degree murder charge for any person who intentionally or knowingly causes the death of a police officer, while the officer is on duty and the person knows that the victim is a police officer. The legislation mandates a second-degree murder charge for an individual who commits an inherently dangerous act, which results in the death of a police officer, while the officer is on duty and the person knows that the victim is a police officer.

“Protection of our police officers from violence is of primary importance to the integrity of our society,” said Stack. “A crime against a law enforcement officer is not only a crime against a person, but also a crime against society.”

The legislation also sets mandatory sentences for the following crimes against police officers:

*Murder - Not less than 20 years in prison
*Involuntary manslaughter - Not less than 10 years
*First-degree aggravated assault - Not less than 10 years
*Felonies of the second degree - Not less than five years
*Stalking - Not less than five years
*Simple assault - Not less than two years
*Harassment - Not less than 60 days.

In addition to requiring tougher penalties for crimes against police officers, this legislation would create a registry system for such offenders.

“Offenders of crimes against police officers pose a high risk of engaging in repeated offenses even after serving their sentences,” said Stack. “If police officers are provided notice and information about these offenders, they can take appropriate precautions when encountering these offenders.”

Police officers are defined under this legislation as any individual who has arrest powers. The bill has been sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
 

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