Sar Kheng: Police hiring rules vital
MINISTER of Interior Sar Kheng instructed officials to ascertain the qualifications of police officers upon their appointment to new positions in order to increase the efficiency of operations and maintain security and public order.
In a March 11 instruction, he said the ministry had worked hard to implement reform programmes in the police force – in line with the government’s political programmes and rectangular strategies in each phase of development.
He added that the ministry had modernised the structure of the police and revised its roles and responsibilities, as well as introduced new procedures for the appointment of police officers. This included determining the necessary qualifications for each post.
“Under the current reforms, and to further strengthen the recruitment process, we have introduced a methodology for evaluating applicants and determining their qualifications,” the instruction said.
Sar Kheng went on to say that police officers must have a patriotic conscience and be honest and loyal to the nation, religion and King. They should maintain their professional skills and pursue their work with diligence and creativity.
The must also have the required moral values, which should be reflected in the way they follow internal rules and policies. Police officers should be above committing any act which could damage the prestige of their units or the honour of the nation.
He added that officers should maintain solidarity and open relationships with their fellow officers and know how to win the trust of the public through their actions.
“The appointment of all police officers must be carried
out according to the appropriate principles and procedures. All formalities should be observed,” the instruction said.
Yang Kim Eng, president of the NGO People’s Centre for Development and Peace, told The Post on March 14 that both the appointment and selection of national police officers must be based on transparency and fair competition in order to avoid partisanship, nepotism or corruption. The ministry’s guidance was certainly helpful, but the ministry should also examine
whether the appointment of police officers meets the criteria set by the ministry.
He said if only the ministry inspects the abilities and qualifications of candidates closely, then some appointments are likely to continue be made via partisanship.
“Strengthening the monitoring of appointments is a very effective way of eliminating corrupt practices – but if these new procedures are not implemented effectively, the problems will remain,” Kim Eng said.