The Tasmanian Government is taking steps to crack down on people who seriously assault off-duty police officers.
Laws already exist for a minimum six-month jail sentence for assaults on police, but the Government is introducing legislation that takes it further.
It wants to amend the Sentencing Act to make sure the same mandatory sentencing applies to any serious assault on an off-duty police officer.
Police Minister Rene Hidding said the legislation sent a strong message that assaults would not be tolerated.
"It's not beyond the realms of possibility somebody might feel malice towards a police officer, particularly if they've had interactions with various police in the past," Mr Hidding said.
"To take it out on an off-duty police officer is demonstrably an appalling thing to do and we want to protect our frontline workers, not just on the job but in any circumstance as a result of their job.
"In a small community like Tasmania, it's entirely possible that they could well be targeted in social situations."
A recent case in the state's north has highlighted the issue.
"This person was assaulted for no reason at all. He was just assaulted and could easily have fallen over and hit his head on the concrete on the way down," Mr Hidding said.
"This recent incident reveals that some individuals may feel malice towards police officers, either individually or generally, and this amendment will ensure zero tolerance applies when our hard-working police officers are targeted because of their jobs."
An exception to the rule will apply if a defendant can prove to the court that the offence was not motivated by the victim being a police officer
The president of the Police Association of Tasmania, Pat Allen, has welcomed the legislation.
"No person or their families should be subjected to attacks, physical or otherwise because of a role that they undertake," he said.
"With all that in mind, it is only fair legislation that applies to a police officer on duty, also applies off duty if they are being targeted because of their position."
The legislation will be tabled within weeks.
