Northeast Tenn. law enforcement supports bill to increase penalty for assaulting officers
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – Numerous top law enforcement figures in Northeast Tennessee stand behind a proposed legislation that would up the penalty for anyone convicted of assaulting an officer.
House Bill 1881, known as the Back the Blue Act, was passed by the Tennessee House of Representatives on Monday.
The bill, sponsored by Representative Kip Capley, would increase the penalty for assaulting a law enforcement officer from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. The wording of the bill separately identifies law enforcement from other first responders such as firefighters and EMS personnel.
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The current misdemeanor penalty is punishable by a minimum 30-day sentence and a $5,000 fine. If made a felony, the punishment would change to a minimum 60-day sentence and a $10,000 fine.
The bill passed the House with a vote of 86-13. The Senate version passed through committee and is set to be considered by the full Senate Wednesday.
In Northeast Tennessee, multiple police chiefs and sheriffs told News Channel 11 they support the increased penalty.
Sullivan County Sheriff Jeff Cassidy said he was in Nashville Monday when the House voted to pass the bill.
“This passage makes a statement that if you knowingly cause physical injury or cause offensive contact on a law enforcement officer, you will be punished accordingly,” Cassidy said in a statement.
Cassidy said in 2023, there were 1,603 assaults on law enforcement officers, and he sees the measure as a proactive step to protect his deputies.
Both Washington and Carter counties’ sheriffs also supported the passage of the bill. Washington County Sheriff Keith Sexton told News Channel 11 in his own statement that he is “in favor of legislation such as this that supports law enforcement.”
Carter County Sheriff Mike Fraley said he was glad to live in a state that prioritizes law enforcement safety.
“I support this legislation which I believe will improve safety for our officers. I am thankful we live in a state where our lawmakers care about our law enforcement family. Law enforcement officers do a dangerous and often thankless job. All too often, the safety of our officers is put in jeopardy when someone decides they want to harm an officer. With the charge being upgraded from a misdemeanor offense to a felony, some of these individuals may think twice before they decide to assault an officer and those who do will now face a stiffer punishment.”
Carter County Sheriff Mike Fraley
In addition to sheriffs, local police chiefs have also voiced their approval of the bill. Bristol Tennessee Police Chief Matt Austin said in a statement that while he and his officers understand the risks of their profession, he backs anything that could keep them safer.
“In recent years, we’ve seen an annual average of more than 2,000 simple or aggravated assaults on law enforcement officers across the state of Tennessee. Though we each go into this line of duty understanding the inherent dangers, we are extremely appreciative and supportive of any measures that would deter violence against the men and women in law enforcement who put their own well-being at risk each day in service to their communities.”
Bristol Tennessee Police Chief Matt Austin
Greeneville Police Chief Steve Spano said he also “supports any legislation that aims to increase the safety of the men and women who put their lives on the line daily to protect our citizens.”
The bill includes members of Capitol Police, Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agents, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officers, deputy jailers and park rangers employed by the state.
If passed by the Senate, the bill will require Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s signature to become law.
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