Female police officers attend a meeting regarding the recruitment of women into the bodyguard unit in Phnom Penh on Friday. National Police
Female police officers attend a meeting regarding the recruitment of women into the bodyguard unit in Phnom Penh on Friday. National Police
Sceptics question police push for female recruits
Mon, 7 March 2016
Mech Dara

Cambodia’s National Police chief had said he wants to increase female recruitment into the force this year, in part to reduce “inappropriate” clashes between male police and female protesters, though observers were sceptical that simply hiring more women would solve endemic problems in the force.

In a speech on Friday, National Police Chief General Neth Savoeun said a mere 5.7 per cent of police officers were women – less than 3,000 out of a total of 50,000 officers.

Savoeun said political protests in 2013 – “under the incitement of the opposition party” – had highlighted “a weak point” for the force.

“We held a woman lawmaker [Mu Sochua] because she had committed crimes and violence that risked society, but at Phnom Penh’s intervention unit, there were no women, so men arrested her,” he said.

“We had to search her, and at that time we did not equipment, so we use our hands to check her. When people saw it, it looked inappropriate.”

In his speech, Savoeun also maintained that women were more “difficult” and costly to employ.

“When we send male forces to the province, for example, they take a hammock and they can rest and work. But if we send women, we have to think about accommodation,” he said.

kiwiincambodia wrote:In his speech, Savoeun also maintained that women were more “difficult” and costly to employ.

Boss, I can't come to work today because I'm having my period.

Username Taken wrote:

kiwiincambodia wrote:In his speech, Savoeun also maintained that women were more “difficult” and costly to employ.

Boss, I can't come to work today because I'm having my period.

You would be surprised how often I hear this from staff.

kiwiincambodia wrote:

Username Taken wrote:

kiwiincambodia wrote:In his speech, Savoeun also maintained that women were more “difficult” and costly to employ.

Boss, I can't come to work today because I'm having my period.

You would be surprised how often I hear this from staff.

Male or female?

Jerry Atrick wrote:

kiwiincambodia wrote:

Username Taken wrote:

kiwiincambodia wrote:In his speech, Savoeun also maintained that women were more “difficult” and costly to employ.

Boss, I can't come to work today because I'm having my period.

You would be surprised how often I hear this from staff.

Male or female?

Mainly female but I swear it's only a matter of time until one of the lazy males trys to get away with it.