Cambodian Traffic Police Officer Suspended, Contract Staff Fired Over $500 Extortion Allegation from Tourists

In Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh, one traffic police officer has been suspended from duty, and another contract staff member has been dismissed. Both are accused of demanding $500 from two foreign tourists. According to the Phnom Penh Municipal Police, the officer who received the suspension is a rank-3 traffic police officer named Mr. Ho Polly. The contract staff member, Mr. Sim Radtha, was automatically terminated from his position. Both individuals were penalized for violating the discipline of the National Police force. The incident reportedly occurred when the two foreign nationals were traveling back from Kampot Province and were stopped for inspection by the two officers along Mao Tse Toung Boulevard, where they were allegedly demanded to pay $500. The Phnom Penh Municipal Police took administrative action against these two officers after the two foreigners filed a complaint with the leadership of the Ministry of Interior, accusing traffic police officers of improperly and unprofessionally fining them. All rights reserved by CEN