In recognition of their decade-long fight against crimes targeting children, five members of the Child Protection Unit (CPU) have been honoured as members of the Royal Order of Cambodia.

The awards reflect their relentless pursuit of justice, and dedication to protecting Cambodia’s most vulnerable. 

The achievements of the CPU – a unit of its parent organisation Cambodian Children’s Fund (CCF) founded by former Hollywood executive Scott Neeson – highlight the team’s dedication and success in a challenging and often heart-wrenching field.

The Royal Order of Cambodia, established in 1864, is a prestigious award, granted exclusively by the monarch of Cambodia. 

It is designed to honour individuals, both Cambodian and foreign, who have made significant contributions to the Kingdom. 

The Knight Grand Cross, which requires the personal approval of King Norodom Sihamoni, is the most distinguished accolade within the order. 

Among the recipients of the Knight Grand Cross are James McCabe, CPU director of operations, and Mike Smith, manager of investigations, both of whom were instrumental in the founding of the CPU nearly 11 years ago. Their leadership and vision has been pivotal in the unit’s success. 

“To be recognised by His Majesty for our work is a great honour. I want to congratulate Mike, [Som] Vathana, [Sy] Phalla, and Nick [Rose] for their work and support in protecting children,” said McCabe.

“I want to praise the efforts of every CPU team member; their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to assisting victims and investigating crimes against children is awe-inspiring,” he added.

McCabe was awarded the Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Sahametrei in 2016. In 2022, he was made a Knight of the Royal Order of Sahametrei and a Commander of the Royal Order of Sahametrei, at the behest of then-Prime Minister Hun Sen.

“The CPU has been recognised by numerous foreign governments and international policing agencies for their tireless work. I am honoured and humbled to lead this amazing team,” he continued.

The three other awardees include Som Vathana, the CPU manager of police, ministry and NGO liaison who plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between various agencies, ensuring effective collaboration.

The CPU’s Som Vathana. Photo supplied

Nick Rose, deputy director of the unit and a former Australian police and army officer, was honoured with the Knight Grand Officer.

Police Brigadier General Sy Phalla of the Cambodian National Police was awarded the National Medal of Merit.

The CPU, a groundbreaking initiative launched in July 2013 following a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Interior, represents a unique partnership between the CCF and the National Police. 

It is dedicated to investigating serious crimes against children not only in Cambodia but throughout Southeast Asia, with the goal of bringing perpetrators to justice. 

This collaboration has established a new standard for child protection, combining expertise from various fields to ensure a comprehensive approach to combating child-related crimes.

The CPU covers all 25 capital and provinces across Cambodia and now has four major departments: the Homicide Investigation Team (HIT), Forensic Services Team (FST), Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC), and the Office of Victim and Family Services (OVFS). 

The unit employs experienced police officers, investigators, forensic experts, and aftercare specialists to tackle major crimes against children in Cambodia, including homicide, sexual assault and trafficking.

Four years ago, it formed the first specialist unit in Cambodia to tackle the growing threat of cybercrimes against children, from online grooming to the distribution of child pornography. It has since investigated 118 investigations into internet crimes against children.

Their work has led to the investigation and resolution of over 2,617 major crime cases – including more than 300 homicides – since its inception.