Frank Thornton was speaking at the association's conference, where the issue of assaults on Gardaí was a major topic of discussion.
Representatives were told that just under 2,000 assaults on members had been reported between 2020 and 2021.
A mandatory six-month prison sentence will be handed down to anyone who attacks a frontline worker under proposed legislation from TD Neale Richmond.
Frank Thornton told Helen McEntee that it's vital the new law is brought in:
"An attack on a member of An Garda Siochana is an attack on our society and a representative of the state. Appropriate sanctions must be faced by those who choose to attack maim or injure our members. We are relying on you Minister McEntee and the government you're part of to support this legislation and help expedite this bill to provide better protection for our members."
