Senate turns murder of cops into felony

The Senate approved at a plenary session on Thursday (June 11) a bill that turns murder of civil, military, highway, and federal police officers into a serious felony. The classification also applies to cases where the victims are of the Armed Forces, the National Public Security Force, or the prison system, whether on duty or because of their position. The bill is now pending sanctioning by President Dilma Rousseff.

The new provisions introduce harsher penalties for crimes committed against relatives of these officers up to the third degree, when motivated by this kinship. In such cases, the murder will be aggravated and carry longer sentences.

With the new law, killing cops will now be punishable by 12-30 years in jail – longer than the 6-20 years applicable to other murders. Sentences for bodily injury against police officers or their family have also been lengthened by two thirds.

Translated by Mayra Borges