LANSING – State Rep. Gino H. Polidori (D-Dearborn) today denounced a new video game in which the goal is to kill police officers and urged all Michiganians, from parents to public officials, to sign a nationwide petition calling for a boycott of "25 to Life."
"This game is malicious," Polidori said. "Our children should be taught how to respect police officers, not shoot them. Games like this do not belong in a child's home. This game teaches our children to disobey the law and law enforcement. Our officers put their lives on the line for our safety and they deserve better respect."
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is circulating a petition urging the public to boycott "25 to Life." The NLEOMF petition campaign calls on parents and caregivers to keep children away from the game, which gives players points for killing law enforcement officers and encourages them to also use bystanders as human shields. Maker Eidos began distributing the game in January.
Polidori supports a resolution calling on the Michigan House to support the NLEOMF petition boycotting "25 to Life."
In 2004, 153 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty in the United States, according to NLEOMF. Around 17,000 are injured on average each year nationwide.