Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie isn’t backing proposed legislation that enhance penalties for dousing police officers.
During a stop in Mechanicville as part of his upstate tour, the Bronx Democrat stressed that officers should be respected, especially while performing their job. He didn’t endorse GOP efforts to crack down on these types of incidents.
“No one should be dousing them with water,” Heastie said.
The issue stems from a viral video last month of New York City police officers being sprayed with water.
Assemblyman Mike LiPetri, a Long Island Republican, wants to make it a felony to throw or spray liquids at an on-duty member of law enforcement. His proposed legislation, which creates a new type of menacing offense, would carry a prison sentence of up to four years.
Senate Republicans have jumped on the measure too.
Heastie questioned whether new penalties would be as beneficial as a community response. “I think people should respect the police department, but police also have to respect communities,” he said.
The Capitol Confidential team: