Police officers in Phnom Penh’s Chroy Changvar district arrest gang members involved in reckless motorcycle driving on December 26, with their identities blurred to protect privacy. Phnom Penh Municipal Police
The Ministry of Interior has issued a directive aimed at safeguarding individual rights, maintaining professionalism and ensuring transparency when disseminating social security information.
Released on December 27, the guidelines outline clear policies for civil servants, Cambodian National Police officers and prison officials under the ministry. These policies are designed to promote efficient public communication while adhering to legal standards and protecting individual privacy.
The ministry stressed that officials must uphold professional confidentiality at all times to foster public trust.
“Before, during and after operations, competent officials must maintain professional confidentiality and must not provide or disseminate information to unauthorised individuals, the public or media agencies,” the directive stated.
According to the guidelines, officials are prohibited from taking photos, videos or recording audio during operations, as well as sharing operational details in any format. If documentation is necessary, the head of the unit or operations team must assign an officer to record activities for professional purposes only.
The directive also mandates the protection of work processes from interference by unauthorised individuals or external agencies to ensure professional integrity and safeguard individual rights. Sensitive documents related to ongoing cases are not to be shared unless explicitly authorised by competent leadership.
In cases where information dissemination is necessary, the ministry instructed that images or videos of suspects, witnesses and victims – particularly minors – must be carefully handled. It stressed that faces and identities must be blurred to protect privacy.
Additionally, any footage showing suspects in handcuffs or restraints must be blurred, and images or videos displaying technical expertise of authorities or scenes of violence that could negatively impact national conscience, culture or traditions must be avoided.
The ministry further cautioned officials to ensure that press conferences, public presentations of suspects or official statements do not compromise investigations, individual rights or case security. Such actions must also avoid interfering with the work of other relevant institutions.
The directive underscores the ministry’s commitment to upholding professional conduct and protecting the privacy and rights of individuals while ensuring transparency and accountability.
