Over 50 National Police Punished for Law Violation: Interior Ministry
This photo shows Interior Minister Sar Sokha. Photo: Ministry of Interior Facebook
- By Lay Sopheavotey
- January 9, 2024 6:10 PM
PHNOM PENH – Since the appointment of the new government in August 2023, at least 50 national police officers have been demoted and dismissed from the Interior Ministry framework for breaching rules put in place to ensure the proper conduct of police forces.
Most violations involved drug use and dealing, and incompetence. Such a wave of punishments aims to clean up the internal structure of the national police, said the ministry’s spokesperson Touch Sokhak on Jan. 8.
Recently, Lieutenant Colonel Horm Sovanrith, former deputy commissioner of Preah Sihanouk province, was demoted to Colonel by Interior Minister Sar Sokha for incompetence.
“He failed to respect the prerogatives of his position, made mistakes in carrying out his duties, and forgot to report to his superiors! All this even though his position was linked to elements of national security,” Sokhak said.
Sovanrith has since then been transferred to the Intervention Unit of the General Commissariat of National Police.
On Jan. 3, Interior Minister Sar Sokha fired 12 national police officers from the police framework, after they got involved in drug use or dealing.
Two days later, King Norodom Sihamoni signed a royal decree to demote four top officials of the Counter Counterfeit Committee of Cambodia (CCCC) to the lowest ranks. From their former position, they became sergeants in the national police framework.
In December 2023, the interior minister already demoted 11 national police officers in Prey Veng province, after they tested positive for a drug test conducted in October.
The same month, the minister dismissed the former Deputy Director of the Anti-Drug Department’s Administration Office, Suon Tosethpitu, for being violent and using drugs. The facts date back to September 2019.
As of Jan. 8, the ministry has punished, demoted, and dismissed more than 50 national police officers. Of these, around 40 were fired from the Interior Ministry framework.
In December 2023, Interior Minister Sar Sokha warned police officers that they would be dismissed from the police forces if they were caught using or dealing drugs.
He also said that officers who would be involved in hit-and-run accidents are at risk of being demoted or fired if they don’t turn themselves in.
From 2024 onwards, national police officer who have been fired will not receive their salary or other benefits of their employment.
Meng Seavmey contributed to the story.
