TRENTON, N.J. – A police advocacy organization has voiced its support for Assemblyman Alex Sauickie’s bill that clarifies what constitutes aggravated assault against law enforcement officers.

The National Police Association, based in Indianapolis, Ind., thanked the Assemblyman for sponsoring a bill (A1265) that makes it a third-degree offense to spit intentionally into a law enforcement officer’s food or beverage. The law currently specifies that throwing body fluids at officers can be charged as fourth-degree aggravated assault. If an officer is injured, that charge is bumped up to a third-degree crime.

“We…encourage all states to craft similar bills that specifically address this contemptible form of assault,” the Association’s May 24, 2024 statement said.

A conviction would carry a three-to-five year sentence, a mandatory fine of $15,000, or both under the bill. Restaurants would be required to suspend the charged employee and fire them if convicted. Noncompliance could lead to fines of $500 for the first violation and $1,000 for each additional violation.    

“The law needs to be more specific to help prosecutors and also send a message,” Sauickie (R-Ocean) said. 

In the summer of 2020, Park Ridge Police arrested 21-year-old barista for knowingly spitting into the drinks of police officers.  In response, Republican legislators introduced the bill to remove ambiguity from the existing law’s language. 

“The bill is just as necessary today, with all the anti-police rhetoric and reports of campus demonstrators spitting on police,” Sauickie said. “The recent disturbances, large crowds and bad behavior at the Jersey Shore show that police have a lot on their hands already, and bail ‘reform’ and a lack of consequences have made things worse. As an elected official, I believe we have a responsibility to ensure those who work to protect us from crime and violence are themselves as safe as possible.”

Sauickie’s bill also garnered support from the state Policemen’s Benevolent Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, and the State Troopers Fraternal Association, collectively representing nearly 50,000 law enforcement officers in the state.

“This legislation sends a powerful message that this vulgar behavior is as violent and dangerous as punching a law enforcement officer.  New Jersey must speak loudly that attacking law enforcement officers will be severely punished and that our officers’ health must be protected,” state PBA President Pete Andreyev said.

New Jersey State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police President Robert W. Fox agreed.

“This bill provides the same level of protection our law enforcement officers currently receive under New Jersey statute when faced with deliberate exposure to bodily fluids while in performance of their duties. Our members should not be subjected to these types of attacks simply because of their chosen profession of protecting the communities in which they live and serve,” Fox said.

Wayne Blanchard, president of the State Troopers Fraternal Association, said the record number of attacks on law enforcement officials must be stemmed.

“The weaponizing of bodily fluids is the most reprehensible and vile attack an officer can endure, much less when it is used to tamper with an officer’s meal or drink. These offenders must be held accountable and the STFA commends Assemblyman Sauickie on this piece of legislation which will keep our members safe, deter these vile attacks on our members, and hold offenders accountable,” Blanchard said.

The bill was referred to the Assembly Judiciary Committee earlier this year.