Red Wing: Attacks on police should count as hate crimes

Red Wing recently approved a resolution asking federal authorities to classify assaults on police as hate crimes and fund protection programs for law enforcement.

Police Chief Roger Pohlman said that the slayings of dozens of police officers across the United States this year highlights the need to enhance the penalty for assaulting cops.

Minnesota already has laws on the books specifically directed at assaults on law enforcement. But Pohlman said his city's resolution still matters.

"Lately there's been a lot of negative press on the actions of a few officers, and we just wanted our good officers, our officers out there doing the right thing every day to know that they are supported," Pohlman told MPR News Thursday.

Red Wing's move also comes at a time of unprecedented focus on allegations of police misconduct in Minnesota and across the country.

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