Legislation calls for harsher penalties for disarming an officer

State Rep. Mike Mueller’s bipartisan plan to increase penalties for criminals who disarm – or attempt to disarm – a police officer was approved today by the Michigan House of Representatives.

Mueller’s legislation was inspired by the tragic death of Oak Park Police Officer Mason Samborski, a Howell native who was killed on Dec. 28, 2008, when a suspect took his firearm and executed him during a struggle.

“This is a serious public safety matter that requires the Legislature’s immediate attention,” said Mueller, a recently retired sheriff’s deputy. “Police disarmament not only puts officers in danger, but also the general public.”

In his August committee testimony, Mueller shared that suspects have attempted to disarm him on two separate occasions during his career.

House Bills 4315-16 would increase the maximum sentence for attempting to disarm a police officer from a five-year felony to a 10-year felony and ups the penalty for disarming a police officer from a 10-year felony to a 20-year felony.

Democratic Rep. David LaGrand, a former prosecutor from Grand Rapids, partnered with Mueller in sponsoring the legislation.

The plan now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

###