The Ministry of Interior has reiterated that any police officer who fails to conduct themselves in an appropriate, disciplined manner will face consequences, including demotion or dismissal. This aims to guarantee peace and public order, as well as confidence in the police.
Ministry spokesman Touch Sokhak said on March 17 that since the beginning of the seventh-mandate government, the ministry has dismissed around 160 police and prison officers for failing compulsory drug tests. More than 50 have been fired for other breaches of the latest disciplinary code, which was signed into effect by interior minister Sar Sokha on March 5.
Sokhak added that internal disciplinary measures were not the end of the matter for several officers, as criminal offences remained under the purview of the court system. The ministry has referred several of the dismissed officers to court, with cases being investigated and charges being laid.
“We have to ensure that all of our officers remain completely unblemished. They must not become involved with drugs, break the law or behave in an undisciplined manner. Police officers must serve the people, and that includes serving as positive role models for the public to follow,” he continued.
He explained that they must adhere to their code of conduct if they are to play their part in enforcing the law in an effective, corruption-free way.
Sokha signed the Cambodian National Police Discipline Prakas 2024 on March 5.
At the time, he explained that the goal of the new code was to uphold the morals, dignity, values and honour of police officers, in order to maintain the trust of the public.
“National police officials have a duty to protect social order. This means they must remain impartial and honest. They must perform their roles on the principle that everyone is equal before the law. They cannot be prejudiced because of a person’s race, religion, gender, political affiliation or social status,” he said.
“Police officers should not use their scheduled duty hours to conduct their own business, and must not use their position to threaten or bully a member of the public. Abuses of power will not be tolerated. I also want to reiterate that serving police officers should not collude with criminals to break the law or commit any illegal act, such as gambling,” he added.
Sokha explained that officers must not question their orders, provided they do not breach national or international law.
“There are two grades of disciplinary action. The first is education, reprimands or written warnings. The second may be dismissal, demotion or early retirement,” he said.
In addition, the ministry may blacklist some dismissed officials, in addition to levelling criminal charges, if necessary.
