K Speu senior police officer dismissed

ING Laychhay, the deputy police chief of Kampong Speu province’s Phnom Sruoch district, has been dismissed from his position at the National Police. The provincial police chief and two other officials also received written warnings from the Ministry of Interior, according to National Police spokesman Chhay Kim Khoeun.

Kim Khoeun sa id t he dismissa l and warnings were a result of compla i nts f rom people accusi ng t he of f icia ls of agg ravated t hef t, t respassing, illegal detention and aggravated assault and threats. However, he did not elaborate on the case.

Provincial governor Vei Samnang said he was aware of the discipline and that Laychhay’s actions went against the ethics of police officers. Samnang said Laychhay did not heed previous warnings.

“It’s not unusual. If he violates the law, he must be responsible because in each institution there is always a mechanism for monitoring and evaluation. We offer guidance for the first, second, and third [violations]. If they don’t change their behaviour, they will receive punishment,” he said.

Samnang said the decision to terminate L aych hay was up to t he National Police.

In a letter to National Police chief Neth Savoeun, Ministr y of Interior secretar y of state Ang Mongkul said t he minist r y received t wo complaints against Laychhay.

After assigning police officers to investigate, the ministry decided to hand over the case to the General Commissariat of the National Police.

Before the dismissal, Laychhay was temporarily suspended by interior minister Sar Kheng in connection with a complaint filed by residents concerning a crackdown on Kirirom Entertainment Club.

Tim Leng, chief of the anti-drug bureau; Kim Saroeun, deputy director of crime prevention; and provincial police chief Sam Samoun were issued written warnings.

But Samoun told The Post that he had not yet received any warning letter.