Old Generals Retiring as Police End Hiring Freeze

Khmer Times / Ros Chanveasna Friday, 04 March 2016 71 views

The government has asked King Norodom Sihamoni to officially retire 49 generals in the police force as it prepares to end a two-year hiring freeze this year.

The generals are over the age of 60 and have from one to three stars, according to a letter to the King from Prime Minister HE last month. The generals hold positions in different units, from Interior Ministry police to provincial departments.

Interior Ministry spokesman Kieu Sopheak confirmed that the 49 generals had all reached retirement age. According to the law, officers whose rank falls between colonel and four-star general must retire when they turn 60.

Mr. Sopheak added that about 2,000 police officers retire every year and that the nation’s police force has about 50,000 officers.

Am Sam Ath, senior technical supervisor for rights group Licadho, said any delay would prevent new officers from climbing the ranks. “If they delay their retirement, how will the younger generation ascend the ranks in the police force?” he asked.

Mr. Sam Ath said that the high number of generals in the police force coupled with the government’s habit of implementing swift promotions would soon begin to strain the national budget.

Mr. Sopheak disagreed, saying the salaries of high-ranking generals were too low to impact the national budget.

After a two-year freeze on hiring new officers, the government recently announced that this year it would fill 4,536 vacancies created by officers who had either retired or passed away. This will improve national security and help ensure public order and safety throughout the Kingdom, officials have said.

National Police spokesman General Kiet Chantharith said the recruitment plan was still being drafted and that the process of hiring would be more transparent than in the past. Applicants will also be screened more carefully, he said.