National Police chief Neth Savoeun has decided to recruit a new Kampong Thom police chief from another province because the last three Kampong Thom police chiefs disappointed and embarrassed him with their actions.
Speaking at an induction ceremony at the office of the Kampong Thom police chief, Savoeun said on Monday that he had recruited Men Ly, the police chief of Oddar Meanchey province for the position.
“Whether I want to or not, I must speak of the reason why I changed General Men Ly from Oddar Meanchey province to Kampong Thom. I apologise to all citizens and Unified Command Committees and armed forces for not recruiting a new police chief from Kampong Thom province.
“This is because three generations of the provincial police chiefs have complaints filed against them. I consider complaints and division to be the responsibility of the police chief,” he said.
Savoeun said police chiefs are like parents and are held accountable for legal and political matters.
He advised the new police chief to strengthen the quality of the police station and all police officials. As forces, they have to have a high capacity, discipline, virtues, morality and training. Especially during Covid-19, they have to adapt to the new normal including carrying out work and doing business.
“I ask the police chief, deputy police chiefs and our police officials to think of individuals, reputation and also our hometown. We have to think of our honour together,” he said.
Ly said at the ceremony that he was committed to protecting citizens, ensuring safety and respecting and implementing the laws, regulations and principles of the leaders of all levels.
“I am committed to lead subordinate officials with virtue, transparency and solidarity. Hopefully, they have discipline, dignity and professional ethics,” he said.
He promised to maintain the interests of units as he tries to rebuild the image of the Kampong Thom provincial station.
Concerning the commitment by Ly, Savoeun requested all officials present at the ceremony to witness his promises and monitor his activities and cooperation as promised. He hoped that subordinate officials will cooperate to make the commitment successful for all.
Concerning Ouk Kosal, the former police chief of Kampong Thom who was demoted after he was found to have sexually harassed three female officials, Savoeun said he had considered two points. The first was to be addressed legally and the other was to be addressed according to police discipline.
He said that a legal solution might be difficult because the cases occurred a long time ago and victims may not want to come forward.
If the case was sent to court, it is not certain who would win. Hence, he decided to address it by imposing an administrative punishment, which he considered harsher than the law.
