Interior minister Sar Sokha addresses the closing ceremony of a training course at the Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship National Police Academy on March 17. Supplied
Minister of Interior Sar Sokha has proposed an alternative strategy to discipline police officers who fail to carry out their duties to a satisfactory standard. He has suggested that they be posted to the border regions for a period of three to six months, so they understand the challenges many of their brother and sisters face.
His idea has received mixed reactions.
On the morning of March 17, as he addressed a graduation ceremony at the Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship National Police Academy, he proposed both reductions in rank and border postings for officers who violate disciplinary standards.
“If they have an easy job within their unit and don't make an effort to improve, this only causes problems. Therefore, they should be sent to the border to understand the level of difficulty faced by the forces there, so that when they return they will reform themselves and perform better,” he said.
Pa Chanroeun, head of the Cambodian Institute for Democracy, believed this new measure could be an option, and part of the punishment for those who have committed offenses.
However, he noted that while it could be part of a solution, it may still lack transparency and accountability in addressing corruption and the training of officers.
“To ensure cleanliness, the effectiveness of the work and accountability of officers, it is necessary to strengthen monitoring systems, evaluate internal work, and reinforce discipline, without discrimination. Training should be provided which elevates the professional and ethical conduct of law enforcement officers, regardless of whether they are stationed in a city or at the border,” he said.
Yang Peou, secretary-general of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, suggested that sending officers to other locations, such as the border, may not be effective.
In his opinion, the only appropriate penalty is to apply existing national police regulations. He noted that Cambodia has border police in addition to immigration police, which is different from many other countries, where the military is stationed at the border. He explained that the police should solve internal issues, while the military should focus on defending the country’s territory.
“The important thing is, if they are sent to the border, what work do they have to do? If you just send them there without a role, it doesn’t help them change, and it wastes manpower and state resources. I applaud the interior minister’s plans to impose punitive measures regarding officers or police who have committed offenses, but any penalties should be clearly defined,” he said.
Interior ministry spokesperson Touch Sokhak explained that Sokha’s idea is merely a proposal and would be considered, depending on the level of offending committed by individual police officers.
He made it clear that officers who sit in air-conditioned offices should be held accountable to the same discipline standards as those who work in the field, or in remote postings.
“The minister has asked the Human Resources Department to review possible punishments, which may include reassignment, rank reduction or transfers to other units or the border,” he said.
“The minister wants to make it clear that the border police face a lot of difficulties every day, most of the time with no air conditioning, only a fan. At the border, there are no full services, and they also face potential risks from neighbouring countries,” he added.
Sokhak urged further reflection on Sokha’s proposal, rather than the criticism it had received.
“There have been suggestions that if they are posted to the border, they might have more opportunities to offend or commit mistakes, or they might cause conflict with the Kingdom’s neighbours or affect Cambodia’s interests,” he said.
He clarified that if officers are sent to the border regions as a result of disciplinary action; they will not be placed in positions of authority but will serve under established leaders.
The spokesperson explained that the officers must be strictly supervised. He noted that the suggestion was not something that could be decided immediately; it must be thoroughly examined.
