In a shake-up of Phnom Penh’s police force, the chief of the city’s anti-drug trafficking office was promoted to deputy municipal police chief in charge of intervention while the deputy police chief of Chbar Ampov district was made the new Meanchey district police chief.
“Mr. Born Sam Ath, the director of anti-drug trafficking for the municipal police, moved up to deputy municipal police chief in charge of intervention,” municipal penal police chief Eng Sorphea said. “He has been promoted because he had been working very hard.”
Taking over as head of the city’s anti-drug trafficking office will be Iv Thearith, Mr. Sorphea said.
Teng Meno was named the new chief of police in Meanchey district, after the previous police chief, Hy Narin, was sacked in October after being arrested by the Anti-Corruption Unit for allegedly stealing more than $600,000 from the state and local business owners.
Contacted Monday, Mr. Meno said he would rehabilitate the reputation of the district police force.
“I am very happy that I have been promoted to district police chief and I will work very hard to serve the people of Meanchey district and fight against corruption,” he said.
Choem Sitha, who had been acting district police chief since his former boss was removed, returned to his role as deputy.
Asked if he was disappointed not to have been made police chief permanently, Mr. Sitha changed the subject.
“The most important thing is that we all get along well and work together to serve the people,” he said. “We hope that [Mr. Meno] will lead us in the right way and that he is not corrupt like the old police chief was.”
