The police union has called for a new offence that would attract significant jail time for criminals who ram police cars after 103 incidents in a year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The number of cars rammed has more than tripled from 30 in 2013-14 to 103 in 2015-16.
This week alone, a 17-year-old boy was charged for allegedly reversing into officers in Werribee and in Ballarat, a police car was rammed twice by a getaway driver.
Police Association secretary Wayne Gatt said a new offence should be created.
"It's extremely concerning that the rising trend of police vehicle being brazenly rammed by offenders appear to continue unabated," he said.
"More needs to be done to stop this trend in its tracks.
"Legislative amendment is needed now to send the strongest possible message to offenders that if you threaten or assault a police officer, or engage in behaviour like this then you are going to have plenty of time to reflect on it from a prison cell."
Four officers were injured two years ago and 14 were hurt in the last financial year. period.
Charges such as conduct endangering life are already available, but Mr Gatt said the sentencing outcomes do not outweigh the danger police are being put in.
He said if the trend is allowed to continue, it weakens the power of police to keep the community safe.
The call follows the condemnation of minimum six-year jail terms imposed in March on two men who shot a policeman in the head in Moonee Ponds in 2015.
First Constable Ben Ashmole, who was 18 months into the job, ducked when he saw the shotgun and was hit in the back of the head. Eleven pellets still remain in his head.
With time already served, both men will be out in a little over four years.
"To be given four years, that is not my son's worth," Constable Ashmole's mother said outside court.
