• Society

Police Misusing Weapons to Be Fired, Sar Sokha Warns

• By Lay Sopheavotey
• March 3, 2024 11:30 AM

PHNOM PENH — Minister of Interior Sar Sokha has issued the order to fire any police officer who had used weapons illegally or lent them to others, saying that such actions could result in serious accidents or even deaths. 

“If there is illegal use of weapons, without permission or mission letter, I don't think it is necessary to keep the police officers in the unit: Fire them,” Sokha said on Feb. 29 at the Ministry of Interior.

After issuing this warning, Sokha added that some police officers had previously lent mission letters or guns to other people. He called on the relevant officials to closely monitor the situation, pointing out the importance of discipline among lower-level officials, and especially police officers.

The minister warned that any police officer found to be in violation of these regulations would face dismissal.

Also on Feb. 29, Sokha addressed concerns over the use of police vehicle license plates, stating that these vehicles cannot be lent to others and that the General Commissariat of National Police and the provincial police commissioners should pay closer attention to drivers whose vehicles have police plates.

Regarding causes of dismissal for police officers, these include any police who uses drugs or deal drugs. On Dec. 18, 2023, Sokha issued the order to fire police officers who had done so while he was visiting a rehabilitation center in the city of Poipet in Banteay Meanchey province.

Police officers involved in a hit-and-run accident will also face dismissal as part of the policy for officers whose goal is to have the police be an example for people, Sokha said on Dec. 25 during the18th World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

Originally written in Khmer for ThmeyThmey, this story was translated by Chhuon Kongieng for Cambodianess.