Cops union calls for new spitting offence

After four months on the job, cop Louise Ellengold was spat in the face by a woman. She faces an anxious six-month wait following disease tests.

The NSW police union is pushing for anyone who deliberately hurls spit or splatters blood at an officer to face up to 14 years in jail.

The Police Association of NSW is also calling for powers that force anyone who transmits a bodily fluid - including spit, blood or urine - to emergency workers, to be tested for diseases.

PANSW President Scott Weber says it is a disgusting and heinous crime that occurs regularly and officers who are attacked in such a way must wait months to discover whether they have been infected by disease.

"The waiting is a killer, Mr Weber said.

"That's why it is so important that police officers can get some peace of mind instead of waiting six months (for testing to be completed)."

Mr Weber says mandatory testing will give officers an idea of what they have been exposed to and allow them to medicate immediately.

After only four months on the job, Probationary Constable Louise Ellengold became a victim of such an attack this month at Kings Cross Police Station when she was spat in the face by a transsexual woman, who was recorded as having infectious diseases.

"My first reaction is I would rather be hit in the face than be spat on," she told AAP.

"Any threat to my health is massive for me.

"The person who does the spitting should be blood tested on the spot. If you know what it is straight away, it can be treated straight away."

In 2013-14, police were involved in 441 "bodily fluid" incidents - including needle-stick injuries and bites.

After being exposed, officers undergo a raft of tests - including for HIV, and Hepatitis B and C.

Spitting on police is currently considered an assault under the Crimes Act, but Police and Emergency Services Minister Stuart Ayres says the government is happy to enter discussions on whether the laws need strengthening.

"Spitting on police is absolutely abhorrent," he said.

"Mandatory testing of bodily fluids projected at police is something the Baird government is seriously considering."

The NSW Council for Civil Liberties doesn't see a need for a new offence when spitting is already covered under assault, but says it isn't opposed to mandatory testing if there are safeguards in place.


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Source: AAP


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