Chapter 265 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 13D½ the following section:-

Section 13D¾. (a)  For purposes of this section, “responding to criminal activity” shall include, but not be limited to,  travelling to, safeguarding, investigating or patrolling the area where suspected criminal activity is underway or recently took place, and apprehending or questioning any person suspected of being involved in criminal activity.

(b) Whoever commits an Chapter 265 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 13D½ the following section:-

Section 13D¾. (a)  For purposes of this section, “responding to criminal activity” shall include, but not be limited to,  travelling to, safeguarding, investigating or patrolling the area where suspected criminal activity is underway or recently took place, and apprehending or questioning any person suspected of being involved in criminal activity.

(b) Whoever commits an assault and battery upon a police officer responding to criminal activity  in the performance of the officer’s official duties, where the assault and battery results in injury to the officer, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 10 years or by a fine of not more than $1,000 and imprisonment in a jail or house of correction for not more than 2 and 1/2 years.

  in the performance of the officer’s official duties, where the assault and battery results in injury to the officer, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 10 years or by a fine of not more than $1,000 and imprisonment in a jail or house of correction for not more than 2 and 1/2 years.