Phnom Penh, 18th July 2024 – During a meeting with law enforcement officers, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Dr. Sar Sokha, announced the distribution of 10,000 raincoats to traffic police officers and contract officers. This initiative aims to facilitate traffic management and law enforcement during the rainy season.

At the meeting held at the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Sar Sokha emphasized the importance of enhancing the capacity, ethics, and professionalism of traffic police officers. He outlined several key points, including the proper use of uniforms, respectful communication with the public, and adherence to road traffic laws. Dr. Sar Sokha stressed that officers should not stop drivers without cause to avoid unnecessary inconvenience and resentment.

Dr. Sar Sokha also instructed traffic police to improve the efficiency of handling traffic accidents by thoroughly investigating incidents, finding witnesses, and preparing accurate reports before forwarding cases to the court.

He praised the dedication of traffic police and contract officers, acknowledging their hard work under challenging conditions, whether in the heat or rain, to manage traffic congestion and maintain public order.

From 2025 to 2028, the Royal Government plans to recruit 30 traffic police officers annually. The selection will prioritize candidates based on height (minimum 1.70 meters for men and 1.65 meters for women) and the length of their employment contract. The Deputy General Commissioner and the Capital Police Commissioner will oversee the selection process.

In addition to the raincoat donation, Dr. Sar Sokha provided financial support to 300 contract officers, each receiving 200,000 Riels as an incentive.

Despite efforts to improve road safety, challenges remain. In the first half of 2024, there were 1,520 traffic accidents, a slight decrease from the previous year. However, fatalities increased by 5%, with 793 deaths recorded. To address these issues, the National Road Safety Committee is drafting new laws and implementing measures to ensure more effective and transparent enforcement of traffic regulations.