Minister of Interior Sar Kheng has warned that officials within the National Police framework – from the director-general down to the rank and file – must accept any training available to them, or face expulsion.
Sar Kheng was speaking at the graduation ceremony for the first generation of level 1 and 2 officers at the Police Academy of Cambodia in Dei Ith commune of Kandal province’s Kien Svay district on July 26.
“All officials of the general department must not let anyone avoid training. If they refuse to attend, they should be expelled from the police force,” he said.
He made it clear that training must be undertaken coolly and approached with a clear head.
He added that if they were busy working on a case while a training session was scheduled, they should be prepared to be flexible with their time.
“They may need to study in the morning and work in the evening, depending on the situation. It is important that all members of all units keep sharpening their skills,” he said.
The minister said keeping up to date with new training was very important in terms of promotion or transfer between the various units of the National Police.
“If they do not keep themselves up to date with new techniques and regulations, it is a fault that cannot be overlooked. Of course, completing courses does not guarantee promotion – that depends on their performance, morality, virtue and honour,” he said.
He added that such training is in response to the government’s policy of constantly upgrading the capabilities of the Kingdom’s law enforcement branches.
He reminded the graduates that completing the training they had just undergone did not mean they now knew everything they would need to know, adding that they must be prepared to keep learning more on the job. Even after working in the field, they should be thinking about new ways to get the police’s important work done.
Seng Phally, president of the academy, said the first generation of level 1 and level 2 police leadership training was in accordance with the latest reform programme and human resource development plan of the interior ministry. It was conducted in line with the ministry’s decision to focus on police leadership members who had not yet undergone courses related to police skills.
“Of the 119 participants, two were women. All of the graduates came from the general directorate, unity and capital and provincial police forces,” he said.
He added that the training had oriented participants in leadership, security command, force management, protocols, and police methodology, in order to ensure they have the specialised skills needed to fulfil their leadership roles. It also reminded them of the need to maintain good interpersonal communication through patience, good character and discipline to enhance teamwork.
Sar Kheng praised the academy, general departments, all units, and all officers for their efforts to make the training successful, adding that they had made a strong contribution to ensuring the forces’ ability to fulfil their mission of providing security and order to the public.
