I see a similar, ominous trend here in Australia. There's a constant push to have higher penalties for assaulting police, ambulance workers and even public transport drivers.
It's like a little bonus they can offer public sector workers.
If somebody attacks you they face much stiffer penalties than if they attack a commoner.
Of course, all the regular folk think it's a great idea (as opposed to just increasing the penalty for assault across the board).