A traffic police officer who reportedly behaved inappropriately in public while stopping a motorist for law violation has been disciplined and will be suspended from duty for three months.

According to a police source who asked not to be named, the punishment was ordered by Phnom Penh Municipal Police chief Sar Thet.

This came after a video clip showing Put Theary using inappropriate language and making rude gestures towards motorists on National Road 5 went viral on social media.

The decision received mixed reaction.

Yim Sinan, a politician and former leader of the opposition party’s youth movement in South Korea, urged all officers to adhere to their professional ethics.

“As a civil servant who gets paid by the people, you are supposed to serve them, and don’t even say that you are tired of public criticism or fault-finding,” he said.

A resident of Phnom Penh, Ly Sovanna, said. “Please appreciate the work of police officers who maintain public order . . . At all times, there must be someone present in uniform so that citizens are kept safe from scoundrels. Thank you to them once again for their service to society.”

The municipal police said any officers found misbe