The leadership of the Phnom Penh Municipal Police is currently contemplating whether to demote, reassign or dismiss Kamboul District Police Chief Colonel Hong Piseth, who was accused of corruption by 49 policemen in the district.

Colonel Sam Vichhika, the spokesman for the Phnom Penh Municipal Police, said the police officers, who are chiefs and deputy chiefs of commune posts and deputy chiefs of Kamboul district, recently complained to Phnom Penh Municipal Police Chief Lieutenant General Chuon Narin about Col Piseth’s irregularities. They claimed that Col Piseth had committed corruption and accepted a bribe.

Col Vichhika said that they asked Lt Gen Narin to dismiss, reassign or demote Col Piseh, alleging that his activities affected the honour and reputation of the national police and Kamboul district police unit.

Lt Gen Narin had said investigations were initiated after the complaint was lodged by the police officers.

“The Phnom Penh Municipal Police has already completed the investigation into Col Piseth’s case. But the leadership of Phnom Penh Municipal Police has not made any decision on this case yet,” Col Vichhika said.

“The Phnom Penh Municipal Police leadership is currently considering whether to move him or change his role, or whether to discipline him,” he said.

According to the complaint by the 49 police officers, September 30, 2023, and obtained on Monday by Khmer Times, Col Piseth was appointed as Chief of Kamboul district police on August 18 last year.

The complaint alleged that Col Piseth had committed many irregularities such as ordering all commune and district traffic police units to pay him between $100 and $200 a month.

The complaint also alleged that those who wished to be promoted, must pay him between $800 and $1,500.

Col Piseth denied the allegations and described the complaint against him as baseless.

He said he did not commit the offences as alleged.

• Tags: Kamboul police chief