Red Wing officials want hate crime protection for officers

Published 9:56 am Friday, October 9, 2015

RED WING — Officials in a southeast Minnesota city are pushing for increased protection for law enforcement officers.

Last week, the Red Wing City Council unanimously passed a resolution calling for crimes against law enforcement to be prosecutable as hate crimes.

Police Chief Roger Pohlman approached the city for a show of support on the resolution. He said nearly 100 law enforcement officers nationwide have died this year. But according to a press release that number also includes deaths from traffic accidents and natural causes.

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Minnesota doesn’t have a hate crimes law, but attacking a police officer can lead to increased fines and jail time under state law.

Officials in Coon Rapids are planning a Police Lives Matter rally later this month.