Dubbo police are almost twice as likely to get bitten, spat upon or assaulted on the job now than they were last year.
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Recent figures show the number of assaults against police in the 12 months leading up to March 2019 have almost doubled compared to the same period leading up to March 2018.
The Police Association of NSW have has said enough is enough and have has called out for on communities to respect the work of law enforcement officers.
A Police Union member has spoken about the effect of violence on front line police officers.
An unnamed police officer has been in the force for 26 years, but one particularly vicious violent act against him and his partner has stuck with him, leaving him feeling self conscious.
They are members of the community themselves: mums and dads, sons and daughters, sisters and brothers.
- Tony King, Police Association of NSW.
"My partner and I were approached by someone who we think was drug affected and had mental health issues. We tried to calm him down by talking to him, but eventually he started swinging punches," the officer said.
"It was pretty intense there for a minute. I lost my front tooth and my partner got two broken fingers. Eventually I got a dental implant and the whole thing [all medical bills] cost about $80,000. I still feel embarrassed about the way I look. I am fortunate I haven't had any PTSD [Post traumatic stress disorder] from that incident. For many others it can be so bad they have to stop work."
The new figures from the Bureau of Crime and Research Statistics reveal multiple towns in the region have seen an increase of incidents between April 2018 to March 2019.
The Police Association of NSW (PANSW) said any increase in assaults on police is a major concern.
"The job of tackling crime and maintaining public safety has - to a disturbing level - seen more assaults just as a consequence of the police going about the job of enforcing the law and doing their job effectively," PANSW president Tony King says.
How does Dubbo compare with the rest of the region?
"Dubbo is a case in point of active policing practice - with one of the highest arrest rates in the State.
"If more arrests are being made and communities are being more protected the last thing that should mean is for more police officers to end up being bashed, bitten, spat upon, assaulted and injured," he said.
Mr King has reminded communities that police officers are people too and their main concern is to keep the community safe.
"Most members of the community respect that these are women and men who are working for them, not against them. They are members of the community themselves: mums and dads, sons and daughters, sisters and brothers," he said.
Mr King is hoping community leaders will start a conversation around the violence.
"I certainly hope that local community leaders, including politicians, lead the public debate in supporting and respecting the work the local police do," he said.
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