Social analysts have agreed with the government’s plans to deploy new police officers to their home communes, noting that familiarity with their surroundings will make them more efficient at carrying out their duties.

Last week, approximately 700 new police officers were selected through a competitive exam process. They will be stationed at their local bases, rather than being brought in from afar. 

The new arrangement is part of the reforms within the national police system, according to Touch Sokhak, spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior.

Sokhak explained that the selection process prioritised candidates who are already residents of that area, as they have extensive knowledge of their community’s geography and psychology, and there should be no reason to request a transfer after their appointment.

He explained that the new appointments include 59 officers from Kampong Cham province, 64 from Kampong Chhnang, 30 from Kratie, 62 from Kampong Speu, 6 from Koh Kong, 5 from Pailin, 60 from Takeo, 68 from Battambang, 77 from Pursat, 15 from Preah Sihanouk, 2 from Mondulkiri, 6 from Ratanakiri, 43 from Svay Rieng and 37 from Oddar Meanchey, as well as 94 from the Phnom Penh municipality.

He noted that before going to serve at their assigned police stations, all candidates must undergo training and pass the basic level of police professional standards, through the National Police Academy.

Yong Kim Eng, president of the People Centre for Development and Peach (PDP), expressed support for selecting police officers from local communities because they know every thoroughfare in their localities.

“Firstly, they can fully perform their duties because their homes are already there. If we bring people from outside an area, during weekends they might go home. If their home is not too far, they might go to rest at home, making it difficult to respond to issues that arise late at night. Sometimes they might work for a while before moving away again,” he said.

However, he emphasised that all officials must perform their duties in compliance with the law with no cases of nepotism or other infringements of the law. This should be ensured through close monitoring by management, ensuring that local officials are fulfilling their duties.

He suggested that a monitoring system be in place to guarantee that there is no corruption, and strict discipline must be enforced to ensure that their operations are free from bias, equitable and highly accountable, in line with the responsibilities entrusted in the officers by the state.