Birmingham representative hopes to expand AL hate crime laws to include police and firefighters

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) - Being a police officer and a firefighter can be a dangerous job.

It has become even more dangerous after reports of people attacking law enforcement and fire officials over the years.

"We've had incidences where firefighters have been attacked on scenes. We have one incident, not long ago, where we actually had shots fired in the back of a rescue unit," Don Baker with Birmingham Fire Fighters Local 117 said.

Birmingham Representative John Rogers wants to expand Alabama's hate crime law to include attacks on policemen and firemen.

"If you kill somebody just because they are of a certain race it's a hate crime, so if you kill a police officer because he is a police officer or a fireman, it should be hate crime also," Rogers said.

The attacker would face additional charges on top of any assault charge if Roger's hate crime bill passes the Alabama legislature.

"We think it's a good move in the right direction. Especially in today's climate with all of the assaults going on against police officers and firefighters," Baker said.

Rogers believes he has support for his bill in the legislature. The bill is still in committee when lawmakers return to work next week.

Copyright 2017 WBRC. All rights reserved.