The four walked out of court last week with good behaviour bonds and supervised orders for their part in the crime, which included one of the perpetrators trying to remove one of the officer’s firearms. Australians are tired of violence in all its forms. As reports of domestic-related assaults and murders, and random one-punch attacks, continue to flood our media, Australians are becoming increasingly angry and more demanding of harsher penalties.

Attacks on police officers, those who are charged with our protection, elicit the same sentiments.

Sadly, our police are not the only ones in the firing line, with paramedics, firefighters and medical personnel reporting the same kind of abuse.

Attacks on ambulances responding to emergencies, and physical assaults of doctors and nurses trying to help the injured in our hospitals, are becoming increasingly common.

These crimes shock us in the first instance, but when the perpetrators are caught and appear to receive a slap on the wrist for their actions, we’re shocked all over again.

Our expectations are that sentences should serve as a deterrent for others, and if a crime is serious enough, there can be no alternative to a jail sentence.

Where is the deterrent in last week’s sentence?

Where is the message that bashing a police officer and threatening to shoot them is not okay?

Yesterday, the NSW Department of Public Prosecutions announced a review of last week’s sentences, following a community backlash.

What will come of it is anyone’s guess, but at least it reassures us that the state government is taking these concerns seriously, even when we feel others are not.

There can be no excuse for mindless violence – including alcohol. The community is tired of excuses.

And perpetrators should be remorseful for their actions; that’s the least they can do.

Sometimes though the punishment must fit the crime, and no amount of remorse should change that.