The National Military Police has announced the recruitment of nearly 300 youths while the government has also authorised the Ministry of Interior to recruit 1,700 people into the National Police framework to meet its basic needs of protecting national security and maintaining public order and safety.

The National Military Police’s announcement, signed by its deputy commander, Lieutenant General Sin Sophany, who chairs the Military Police sub-committee on recruitment, said students from 18 to 25 years who wish to serve can apply at the Military Police headquarters in Phnom Penh and all 25 provinces from September 12-28.

“All candidates who wish to serve in the Military Police must meet the following requirements – be an unmarried male Cambodian national; be from 18 to 25-years-old on the date of application, and be physically fit and healthy enough to perform the job.

“Candidates must be loyal to the motherland and not have been convicted of any crime. They must have an education level of at least Grade 12 and must be at least 1.70m tall,” the announcement said.

National Military Police spokesman Eng Hy declined to comment further, saying only that, “We are recruiting students and young people who meet the requirements stated in the announcement”.

Ministry of National Defence spokesperson Chhum Socheat told The Post on Tuesday: “The recruitment drive is required to meet our national defence needs and to replace those who have retired. We do this every year to meet demand, and selection is made with absolute transparency.”

Meanwhile, on August 23, Prime Minister Hun Sen issued a sub-decree allowing the Ministry of Interior to recruit 1,700 people into the National Police framework to help protect national security and maintain public order and safety.

“The recruits will receive their salary and allowances from the beginning of their training,” the sub-decree said.

Ministry of Interior deputy spokesman Phat Sophanit said the recruitment was necessary to replace those who have retired. He said the applicants must meet certain requirements.

“They must fill in an application form and take an examination. The recruitment is required to fill vacancies left by retired police officers. We also need people to fill administrative positions throughout the country,” he said.

Kin Phea, the director of the International Relations Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said the recruitment drive was necessary to strengthen national security and to fill the positions of retirees.

“This recruitment will be conducted with transparency as these institutions are trying to eliminate corruption and want honest and courageous officers to defend the nation.

“Every year, ministries and institutions recruit more people to replace those who have retired. It also reflects the growth of Cambodia’s economy and the defence sector,” he said.