Poplar Bluff senator wants harsh penalties for assaulting police

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- A Missouri lawmaker from Poplar Bluff is proposing ramped-up penalties for those who assault police in the wake of what law-enforcement officials said is an alarming spike in ambush-style attacks.

Missouri law currently allows for increased penalties for so-called special victims, including law enforcement.

Republican state Sen. Doug Libla on Wednesday said he wants to take that further in an effort to discourage such attacks.

"You can be executed just by simply wearing a uniform," Libla said. "We've got to start bringing a stop to this."

Libla's announcement comes three days after a St. Louis police sergeant was shot twice in the face while he sat in traffic in a marked police vehicle. He was released from a hospital Monday. The shooting was one of four across the country Sunday that involved police officers.

One-third of police officers shot to death on the job this year were targeted purposely by their assailants, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

Republican Gov.-elect Eric Greitens frequently pledged support for police on the campaign trail.

After the St. Louis officer's shooting, he said he'll push for the "strictest possible punishments" for those who assault officers.

Greitens also said he'll work with lawmakers to create a "Blue Alert" system.

He described it as similar to Amber Alerts and said it would send out emergency notices to help capture quickly those who shoot police.

Libla's proposal received a mixed response among some of his Democratic Senate colleagues.

St. Louis Democratic Sen. Jamilah Nasheed said it's "the least we can do" and said she's interested in co-sponsoring the legislation once it's finalized.

She said sympathy for police has increased following shootings.

But University City Democratic Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal questioned emphasis on such policies over work to help the poor or boost the economy.

She said police officers are targeted "just like black men are targeted," adding both should receive equal protection under current laws.

"Let's just apply the Constitution," Chappelle- Nadal said.

The next legislative session begins in January. Libla said he'll file the measure Dec. 1.