Mao Chandara, acting Minister of Interior, chaired an October 23 meeting to discuss and review the draft. INTERIOR MINISTRY
The Ministry of Interior is drafting a sub-decree which will establish legal procedures and protocols for the deployment of security forces to protect domestic and international dignitaries who are attending events in the Kingdom. The decree will include guidelines for convoy traffic, their use of sirens and their right of way.
Mao Chandara, acting Minister of Interior, chaired an October 23 meeting to discuss and review the draft. The meeting was attended by ministry secretaries and undersecretaries of state, along with several other pertinent officials.
According to the ministry, Chandara explained to the attendees that no clear protocols had been established, meaning the security forces acted at the behest of individual leaders, rather than with a uniform approach.
“We arranged this meeting to collect inputs and discuss them. This will enable us to draw up a clear sub-decree which will make it easier to manage the National Police and other security apparatus when they are deployed to events and festivals in Cambodia,” he said.
National Police spokesman Chhay Kim Khoeun attended the meeting, but could be reached for comment on October 23.
Phnom Penh municipal police spokesman Sam Vichhika said that when the sub-decree is approved, its implementation will make the use of national police forces more efficient.
He noted that to date, the Phnom Penh municipal police forces have performed their duties consistently, effectively and responsibly. They are currently preparing to provide security for Independence Day celebrations on November 9.
“On the instruction of the national police leadership, we are already preparing and training our forces. We will work in collaboration with police at all levels to ensure the forthcoming celebrations are safe and secure,” he said.
“Speaking specifically, we are well-prepared to protect the public and the dignitaries who attend the national festival. However, the addition of a new sub-decree will allow us to perform our tasks with even greater responsibility and effectiveness,” he added.
