PHNOM PENH: A traffic police chief was suspended after he was caught for drunk driving, damaging public property and insulting a provincial governor.
National police chief Neth Savoeun said though Kampung Thom provincial traffic police department head, Rom Sovichea was suspended, he still had to show up during working hours.
According to reports in Phnom Penh Post, National Police deputy chief Him Yan considered the Sovichea case an offence that violated the order of the National Police and set a bad example in terms of respecting road traffic laws.
Yan said the National Police had prepared a letter to Minister of Interior Sar Kheng requesting Sovichea be removed from his position.
Kampong Thom governor Sok Lou had said that he supported Savoeun punishing Sovichea.
"The location that Sovichea crashed had enough light but he was driving under the influence of alcohol and he even insulted me.
"He was warned for shouting in the provincial hospital three months ago. When he acts like that, it affects the values of officials that should be role models for citizens," he said.
According to a voice recording posted on Facebook, Sovichea was drunk and he drove and crashed at the roundabout of the Lok Ta Achar Leak statue.
He then insulted Lou, saying that "because there was no light in that area, it caused him to have an accident.
Sar Kheng previously warned Sovichea on March 26, saying he was careless in fulfilling his duty and that he would be disciplined if he continued misbehaving.
He also warned Sovichea about his behaviour, which included insulting a woman doctor in Kampong Thom when he went to the provincial hospital to drink with his friend who was involved in a traffic accident.