A bipartisan group of state senators – backed by law enforcement organizations – wants to create tougher penalties for criminals who target off-duty public safety officials.
An Indianapolis man last month fired shots into a police officer's car and home.
In the wake of that incident – as well as high profile cases in Dallas and elsewhere – Sen. Jim Merritt, R-Indianapolis, wants to pass a bill that would enhance criminal penalties for anyone who targets off-duty law enforcement officers.
Indianapolis police assistant chief Randy Taylor has been on the force for 30 years. He says threats against police used to be rare.
"Unfortunately now it seems like we're getting more and more information about direct and indirect threats," Taylor says.
There are still a lot of questions about the proposal – how much would the penalties be enhanced? Would this affect someone who doesn't know their victim is a police officer? Merritt says the specifics will be worked out.
"I think we will have to deal with that…with the language but the bottom line is that we do not want police officers attacked," he says.
A House lawmaker recently proposed a measure that would create a new felony, criminalizing threats against law enforcement.