No, not really. I have an aversion with holding them as higher than an average citizen in such a regard. If I punch you in the face I don't see why I would get a lesser sentence than if I punched an officer in the face. I already am going to have to face the reality that I am far more likely to be charged (a cop has the authority and will be believed in court to get me charged) and that authority gives them all the extra protection that I would be willing to give them.You know by investigating the person and behavior.I hope she spends a very long time in a very small cell.
Why?
Does this type of behavior need to be addressed? Yes it does. Does that necessarily require a ‘long’ sentence in a small cell. Perhaps not. It would hinge on how serious the actual post was. I have a strong feeling that it was not serious in intent at all. More like mad raving. A short time in a cell will impart the understanding that the first amendment does not protect threats. There is no reason to incarcerate people that are not real threats.
And how do you know if the threat is real? We don't want the smoking gun to be a mushroom cloud do we? You threaten a private citizen, that's bad enough. You threaten a peace officer who has no choice but to operate in full view of the public (i.e. you can lure a cop to your residence by saying you need help then open up on him/her once they arrive--as a private citizen I have no obligation to show up) and I think you deserve an enhanced form of incarceration.
Fair enough. Do you think there should be enhanced penalties for threatening police officers and other public officials? I do.
The difference is, in my book, is that the cop's job is to get between your fist and my face. She/he doesn't have a choice