Nearly 600 provincial police officers from Kampong Cham and Pursat completed a training course in protest and strike preparedness which taught them how to deal with potential unrest before and after the national elections on July 29.

A post on the Kampong Cham provincial police Facebook page said Kampong Cham provincial police in the presence of provincial Governor Kuoch Chamroeun, the provincial police chief and district police chiefs met with a special unit of 420 personnel who had completed the training course.

At the closing ceremony of the three-day exercise, Chamroeun instructed the unit to pay attention and use any force responsibly when confronted with any activity that causes chaos in the province, adding that communication is key.

“Communication with all superiors and involved institutions is important in order to mediate any problems and irregularities that could lead to bigger issues. This will serve the spirit of cooperation, which in turn will be preventative,” he said.

Separately, 160 Pursat provincial policemen also underwent demonstration prevention training for three days, according to the National Police.

The three-day training course saw participants learn to use tear gas on protesters, as they were formed into six intervention force units. Chhay Phon, the acting provincial police chief, praised the officers, who were trained by officials of the National Police.

“Your training serves to prevent unexpected situations and is aimed at maintaining peace, security and social order before and after the successful completion of the assembly elections,” he said.

The training comes on the heels of Defence Minister Tea Banh’s warning that security forces will break the teeth of those who protest the elections and Social Affairs Minister Vong Soth saying that protesters will be beaten with bamboo.