Disgraced Police Chief Gets Second Chance

Mao Pov, who was removed from his post as Preah Vihear police chief in 2012 after shooting up a Siem Reap City hotel, has been moved two provinces away, to be named police chief of the newly created Tbong Khmum province.

Brigadier General Pov said Thursday that he would wait until May’s elections to take up the job.

“I have been appointed Tbong Khmum provincial police chief, but we are waiting until the pro­vincial, city, and district elections in May,” Mr. Pov said. “I have not moved into the position yet.”

Interior Minister Sar Kheng released a statement April 4 ap­pointing Mr. Pov to begin building up the police force in the newly formed province.

“The decision is to hand to Brigadier General Mao Pov the duty to join the working group and government servants to found the provincial police administration in Tbong Khmum,” the statement reads.

Mr. Pov lost his previous job as the Preah Vihear police chief in October 2012, after he was arrested by Siem Reap City police and locked up overnight for discharging between four and six rounds inside a hotel.

According to Siem Reap provincial prosecutor Ty Sovinthal, Mr. Pov had been drinking heavily with police colleagues when an argument broke out.

Shortly after midnight, Mr. Pov fired into the hotel’s ceiling and a door. After Mr. Pov’s release, Siem Reap provincial police chief Sort Nody said he had discharged his weapon “because he was angry at the sky.”

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