BOSTON — A proposal on Beacon Hill could increase the penalties for criminals who injure police officers.
Thursday, Governor Charlie Baker is expected to file a bill that would eliminate "probation only" sentences for suspects convicted of assault on a police officer in which a serious injury occurs.
Right now, the crime is only considered a misdemeanor. The change would make it a felony, with penalties of up to 10 years in prison. The bill would set a minimum sentence of one year.
The bill was inspired by the death of Auburn Police officer Ronald Tarentino, who was shot and killed at a traffic stop last month. Officer Tarentino's accused killer, Jorge Zambrano, had a prior conviction for attacking a police officer, but only received probation.
Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/7QOJU3BNCJERBNKJC5LWTBYFLU.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/MVZKZVRFGBHOPGBNTKZNUEPPJA.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/L7Q7H4RII5CGFN4UTCI7G3LV3M.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/W5EKAIN5WNB5LDPPADMDRJBBPQ.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/W4REIQY25ZDHNBJWW43NOTAZJY.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/TP4MDHCIYNGJNEB6BLZNFMGDVQ.png)