How come police get special protections even when off duty?

There is a separate crime that presumably carries a more severe penalty if one assaults a police office even if they are off duty? Why? Is this what they mean when they talk about equality and equal protection under the law. Sounds jaded to me.

technically a police officer is really never “off duty” (ie if they see a crime in progress they are
required to take some action…even if they are off duty…

Canadian Tax Abuse – Victoria