Physically harass a police officer, get arrested, says new law
The New York State Legislature has now made it a crime to harass or annoy a police officer while on duty. Codified in the New York Penal Law as section 240.33, the new law is set to protect police officers from those who engage in any form of physical contact with them while they are on the job.
Specifically, the law states that it is a class E felony to subject a police officer to any form of physical contact with the intent to harass, annoy or alarm the officer.
“Far too many law enforcement officers are being harassed, injured, even killed while honoring their commitment to protect and serve this state,” the New York state Legislature stated as its justification for the new law. “The Legislature has a responsibility to do everything we can to protect our brave heroes, our police officers, from violent criminals. This legislation contributes to that premise.”
“This law is ripe for abuse by law enforcement, because every arrest results in physical contact when the officer takes a persons arm and puts handcuffs on the person,” said Jay Schwitzman, president of the Kings County Criminal Bar Association.