Australia builds Cambodian Police Facilities in Battambang Province

Australia builds Cambodian Police Facilities in Battambang Province



by Chhorng Long Heng
Ministry of interior and Australian Embassy to Phnom Penh on 24 August 2010 opened new judicial police facilities at Battambang Police Commission Compound under highly presiding over the ceremony by H.E. Prum Sokha, Secretary of State, Ministry of Interior and H.E. Ms Margaret Adamson, the Australian Ambassador to Cambodia.



Speaking at the opening ceremony, HE Ms Margaret Adamson said “This new building will provide better working conditions for police officers, enabling them to work in a more effective and efficient manner. It has also been designed to provide better conditions for accused persons, for victims and for the local residents who are working with the police to report and reduce crime”.



She added that the new facilities are part of Australia’s support for better infrastructure through the Cambodia Criminal Justice Assistance Project (CCJAP). Through CCJAP, Australia has provided AU$4million for capital works to improve provincial; police, court and prison buildings in five provinces including Battambang, Prey Veng, Banteay Mean Chey, Kampong Thom and Kampong Cham provinces.



H.E. Prum Sokha, Secretary of State, Ministry of Interior, said “This physical infrastructure is a good example of a strong effort of both governments toward supporting reform in Cambodia. “ Now, with competent police officers and new infrastructure, I strongly believe our police officers will be able to perform their duties more efficiently and professionally to ensure security and safety to our communities and will gain more confidence and trust from communities.” Sokha added.



“This building will enable provincial police commissioner to link important activities to the strategic objectives of Cambodian National Police accordingly and will improve the infrastructure of provincial police in order to expand technical-scientific and development training programs related to the key points of the interview and the trainings in order to support criminal and sexual abuse investigation especially related to women and juveniles”, said General Sar Thet, Provincial Police Commissioner of Battambang Province.

Australia has supported reform across the criminal justice system in Cambodia since 1997. The Cambodia Criminal Justice Assistance Project Phase 3 (2007 – 2012) works with the Royal Government and NGOs and communities to improve prisons, policing, courts, crime prevention and community safety in six provinces. Both sides also strengthen bilateral cooperation with varied fields from health, education to anti-terrorism for security and safety in region and to provide mutual benefits. Under the support from Australia, Cambodia trained more than 550 people, including judges, prosecutors, senior police officers and soldiers, for anti-terrorism law. The Cambodian government considered terrorism act as a cruel crime in the history of humanity, and it makes turmoil in the society especially politically.

The Cambodian government also considered terrorism act as an international matter. Australia is very happy to see the contribution of Cambodia in fighting against the terrorism acts.###