Three police officers assigned to enforce traffic laws at the Chom Chao flyover in Phnom Penh’s Por Senchey district have been dismissed. The three were suspended on December 26, 2024 for violating the disciplinary code of the Cambodian National Police.
“Three officers from the Phnom Penh Municipal Police under the General Commissariat of National Police are hereby subject to disciplinary action, including dismissal from their positions, removal of ranks and expulsion from the framework of the National Police due to serious violations of police disciplinary regulations,” said a disciplinary order signed by Minister of Interior Sar Sokha on June 10, which was publicly released on Friday, July 4.
The three dismissed officers are Deputy Section Chief Captain Hul Sovannaratanak, Captain Mon Sarorn and Captain Chhorn Tola.
The announcement further specifies that the salaries and benefits of the three officers will be terminated effective September 2025.
The disciplinary measures stemmed from a December 26 social media post by the driver of a Lexus RX350. He was flagged for an irregular license plate and stopped by the three officers on December 24 and fined 1.2 million riel ($300), near the Chom Chao flyover.
The man’s social media post alleged that officers at the checkpoint stole a memory card from his vehicle.
Phnom Penh Police Chief Choun Narin ordered an immediate investigation, and the three officers were questioned. After they admitted their wrongdoing, they were suspended.
Notably, the Phnom Penh Police also disclosed that the Lexus driver in question had repeatedly violated traffic laws and caused disruptions at traffic enforcement checkpoints throughout the capital.
In Dangkor district, he was stopped for using a mobile phone while driving and later posted videos online insulting police officers. In Por Senchey district, he rode a motorbike without a helmet and again posted videos criticising officers. In addition, in Chbar Ampov district, he committed similar offenses, not wearing a helmet and disregarding traffic signs, and again posted videos of law enforcement.
Regardless of the man’s earlier infractions, the Phnom Penh Police emphasised that under the leadership of Narin, any officers found to have committed disciplinary violations will face consequences.
On Friday, July 4, nine other traffic police and contracted staff from a checkpoint at the Preah Sakyak Mony Chedey roundabout, in Daun Penh district, were summoned for questioning over allegations that they stopped a vehicle driven by an Indonesian national, demanded to see unnecessary documents, and attempted to extort $300 from him.
The public is watching the investigation closely, and awaiting possible legal action in this case as well.
