The Opposition believes there should be zero tolerance against those who threaten or perpetuate violence on public officers during the course of their duties.

Introducing his Private Member’s Bill to amend the Criminal Code, home affairs shadow minister Jason Azzopardi said the changes he was proposing would raise the fines and provide for harsher penalties for such crimes.

Public officers did not only consist of policemen but also those thousands who provided a public service, including members of the armed forces and the civil service, doctors, paramedics, nurses, teachers and LSAs. They all deserved respect and peace of mind, he said.

Apart from harsher penalties, the Opposition was also suggesting that a minimum sentence, a suspended sentence, a conditional discharge or probation should not apply in the case of those found guilty of attacking public officers.

Dr Azzopardi stressed that the harsher penalties being proposed were meant to serve as a serious deterrent to convey the right message that bullying, threats, intimidation and violence would not be tolerated. If the victim forgave the perpetrator, he added, then there could be room for discussion within certain parameters, but the bottom line should be zero tolerance.

Unfortunately, he noted, there had been court sentences that were too mild.

He paid tribute to all those who carried out their duties with loyalty and dedication, especially those who were wronged but still did not get the justice they deserved.

The Opposition wanted to send a message that it cared about the members of the police force and that it supported them. The police force had expressed alarm at the increasing rate of crime against public officers and had urged the government to make punishment for such crimes harsher.

Crimes against public officers rose from 117 in 2007 to 125 in 2008, 181 in 2009, then dropped to 168 in 2010 but rose to 208 in 2011.

The Bill proved that the Opposition cared and believed in public officers. This contrasted sharply with the way the government had treated the police force and the armed forces over the past eight months.

It was insulting and demeaning to ask policemen to carry out catering duties, not to mention the numerous transfers.

Public officers had to be protected, he said.

Former home affairs minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici also contributed to the debate.