Chicago Democrat Wants Law That Lets Suspects Assault Cops
Rep. Lisa Davis introduced House Bill #3458 last month and picked up two co-sponsors yesterday: Rep. Kelly Cassidy, who represents parts of the North Side, and Rep. Marcus Evans, Jr., whose district includes parts of the South Side and adjacent suburbs.
If it becomes law, the bill would “[provide] that it is a defense to aggravated battery when the individual battered is a peace officer and the officer responded to an incident in which the officer interacted with a person whom a reasonable officer could believe was having a mental health episode and the person with whom the officer interacted has a documented mental illness and acted abruptly.”
State law currently provides for a person to be charged with aggravated battery if they attack someone they know to be “a peace officer, community policing volunteer, fireman, private security officer, correctional institution employee, or Department of Human Services employee.”
Davis’ legislation would only legalize attacks on peace officers. Attacking any of the other professions would remain illegal.
If it becomes law, the bill would “[provide] that it is a defense to aggravated battery when the individual battered is a peace officer and the officer responded to an incident in which the officer interacted with a person whom a reasonable officer could believe was having a mental health episode and the person with whom the officer interacted has a documented mental illness and acted abruptly.”
State law currently provides for a person to be charged with aggravated battery if they attack someone they know to be “a peace officer, community policing volunteer, fireman, private security officer, correctional institution employee, or Department of Human Services employee.”
Davis’ legislation would only legalize attacks on peace officers. Attacking any of the other professions would remain illegal.
70-79, M
