In response to a story in the Central Western Daily on Monday about the growing number of assaults on police in Orange, executive member of the western region for the Police Association of NSW Sue Rose, said police want the courts to get tough on people who lash out and assault police.

“Police want to be able to go home to their family after work not having been used as a punching bag for people who have no respect for police,” Ms Rose said.

“The courts need to impose tougher penalties.”

She said the police union is calling for zero tolerance when it comes to assault and intimidation of police.

“We want courts to start cracking down and for the government to set up mandatory sentencing,” she said.

Ms Rhodes said in her experience, and according to fellow union members, drugs and alcohol are playing a big role in the escalation of violent behaviour in the community.

“Unfortunately drugs like ice are letting down a lot of young people in our community,” she said.

Ms Rhodes said while police have worked very hard over the last few years to drive down assaults in the community, it is police who are now feeling the impact of violent behaviour.

“Police assaults are on the increase and it’s not just in Orange - it’s right across the state,” she said.

In the last four weeks Orange Local Court has dealt with 19 cases of assaults against police officers and 26 charges of resisting police and intimidation.

One man urged his dog on to attack an officer, while another assaulted the family member of a police officer.

Orange City Council’s crime community safety committee chair councillor Jason Hamling told the CWD the majority of people have great respect for police and the work they do in keeping the community safe.

“But I am disgusted by the number of people who go out of their way to assault and abuse police,” Mr Hamling said.

janice.harris@fairfaxmedia.com.au