Minister of Interior Sar Kheng suspended Kampong Thom police chief Ouk Kosal on Thursday following allegations of sexual harassment by four women officers.
They had accused Kosal of an ongoing campaign of abuse and harassment since 2018.
Sar Kheng assigned deputy police chief Ith Kimsrun to be acting police chief in charge of heading the provincial department until further notice.
Kosal is required to appear at the staff department during working hours. Im Sokoeurn, the deputy police chief in charge of human resources was transferred to the staff department
A joint task force from the ministry and the National Police will investigate the allegations of misconduct against Kosal.
Soeung Sen Karona, a spokesman for local rights group Adhoc, said on Thursday the decision to suspend the chief was the right one if wrongdoing had occurred.
“It is good for subordinate officials to have confidence in the leadership. I consider this to be good as they seek justice for the victims of the alleged harassment,” he said.
He said if Kosal is found guilty of committing wrongdoing, he should be prosecuted according to the Criminal Code of Cambodia.
