President Donald Trump has once more called for the death penalty to be the punishment for any person who kills a police officer, according to Fox News.
It remains to be seen whether this is merely a ploy with the upcoming elections in mind, but it isn’t the first time Trump has suggested such measures. Though as yet no police proposal has been rolled out, the president has been vocal in the past on his opinion that criminals who kill police officers should be dealt the harshest possible penalties.
This is something he reiterated last week while giving a speech at the National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day service on Capitol Hill.
https://twitter.com/donmufasa/status/1129147693748641792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1129147693748641792&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Flife.shared.com%2Ftrump-says-cop-killers-should-be-given-the-death-penalty
During the event, thats purpose is to honor officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, Trump said: “The ambushes and attacks on our police must end, and they must end right now. We believe that criminals who murder police officers should immediately, but with trial, get the death penalty. But quickly. The trial should go fast. It’s got to be fair, but it’s got to go fast.”
People may remember him making a similar pledge back in 2016 while on the campaign trail, and then again in Florida last year, when he said those who kill officers should as “rapidly as possible” – if found guilty – be handed the death penalty.
@realDonaldTrump Yes, I agree cop killers should get a death penalty after a fair trial. It will save the lives of our cops and get killers put away. GOD BLESS OUR POTUS & OUR COUNTRY & ISRAEL. pic.twitter.com/Vf5zoygX0n
— Kathy M. Storrie (@KathyMStorrie) May 17, 2019
Indeed, the POTUS’ words have stirred the cauldron of controversy with regards to what is a naturally sensitive topic. There are those who believe a change in laws is necessary to stop officers of the law being preyed upon as they attempt to do their jobs, while others think Trump’s approach is excessive.
Interestingly, data from the National Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial Fund shows that figures of officers being slain in the line of duty are gradually on the decline from last year. In 2018, 63 officers died in the first five months of the year, compared with 18 so far this year. All the same, the total of almost 160 officers killed throughout the whole of 2018 is a frightening statistic indeed.
It should go without saying that our officers deserve every ounce of protection as they go about their jobs. Sure, there are bad eggs in the police force – those that abuse their power and use the badge as a weapon to further their own ugly agendas – but there are also a great many who do what they do through a longing to help others.
While imposing the death penalty may be considered excessive, it’s surely no bad thing to concentrate on amending the laws to better protect those who spend their lives protecting us.
What do you think about Donal Trump’s words? Let us know in the comments box.
Meanwhile, share this article if you think more should be done to protect our police officers.
