Thursday, March 23, 2017 | 2 a.m.
CARSON CITY — Nevadans who commit crimes of battery or assault against volunteers and civilian employees with law enforcement agencies will face tougher charges, fines and potential prison sentences if a bill heard Wednesday before an Assembly committee is passed into law.
Assembly Bill 132 would include police volunteers under Nevada Revised Statute 240.471, which calls for felony charges and sentences of up to $10,000 for such crimes against health care providers, school employees, taxicab drivers, transit operators, sports officials, court employees, peace officers, correctional officers and other state employees who make home visits as part of their jobs.
If a court finds a person guilty of assault against such officials in Nevada, that person will face Category B felony charges, up to six years in prison and fines of up to $5,000. If a person is convicted of using a deadly weapon or committing battery against such officials resulting in substantial bodily harm, that person will also face a Category B felony under the law, punishable by two to 15 years in prison and fines of up to $10,000.
“Crimes committed against certain personnel qualify for enhanced penalties due to the nature of their work,” said AB132 sponsor Assemblyman Elliot Anderson, D-Las Vegas, in front of the Assembly Committee on Judiciary. “This is a narrow addition to these categories.”
Anderson said that of about 8,800 law enforcement employees in Nevada last year, 3,400 were civilians working in crime scene investigations, dispatch, search and rescue, public information and forensic science offices, among other areas of police forces across the state.
Metro Police lobbyist Chuck Callaway and Washoe County Sheriff’s Office lobbyist Eric Spratley testified in favor of the bill, saying their offices rely heavily on volunteers and civilian employees. Adding the provisions to the current law to protect such volunteers and employees would encourage greater participation from civilians in the police force, they said, while saving taxpayers money.
“We simply couldn’t function without them,” Spratley said.
At least two other representatives from Nevada government organizations also testified in favor of AB132.
Wendy Stolyarov of the Libertarian Party of Nevada was the only voice in opposition of the bill. Stolyarov argued that tougher penalties for those who commit battery or assault crimes against volunteers and civilian employees with law enforcement agencies would damage community relations with police by sparking fear among those worried about accidentally assaulting the officers.
“(AB132) is inequitable and counterproductive to successful community policing,” Stolyarov said. “Many individuals are already frightened to interact with law enforcement because a single misunderstanding or mistake can ruin a person’s life.”
In response, Anderson said Stolyarov’s claims had “nothing to do with this bill whatsoever” and urged the committee to “stay focused on what this bill actually does.”
“There are a lot of issues why people don’t report crimes and they have nothing to do with someone battering a civilian who works with a law enforcement agency or a volunteer,” Anderson said.
Representatives from the Washoe County and Clark County Public Defender’s offices testified as neutral to the bill.
