I have noticed that both here in the UK and in the US there seems to be a disprortionate response to the murder of police officers. E.g. the perpetrators are punished more severely than murderers of normal members of the public.
While I, of course, in no way condone the killing of anybody I am puzzled by this.
The police are there to serve and protect the public hence are more likely to be in harms way and therefore more likely to be injured or killed than a typical member of the public.
So my questions:
Is there a legal basis for the longer sentences given to cop killers or is it a cultural issue of the law enforcement community pulling together?
Why is the murder of a police officer worse than the murder of a “normal” person?
This is not a trolling thread I am genuinely puzzled. Mods if it needs to be moved to GD please feel free. I put it here as I feel there should be an actual answer to these questions.