A motorist took to social media to allege that traffic police stopped him for a bribe, took his phone to prevent him from filming them, and beat him during a traffic stop in Takeo province.
The Chinese national’s online complaint has since led to police disciplining 13 officers even as it made excuses for the behavior in a public statement.
Cui Jian posted late last week that he had been stopped on National Road 3 in Takeo on January 1, purportedly for going 30% above the speed limit. He said he doubted the speed measurement was accurate as he was driving a large van, but, more pertinently, he alleged the officers demanded $100 from him without issuing a ticket.
“The traffic police saw that I was Chinese and wanted to fine me,” he wrote in English. The officers were using the fines to “fill their pockets,” he alleged.
Five officers snatched his phone and deleted his images, and “several” of them beat him, Cui said.
He posted photos online of scratches on his face and ear.
“The police are rampant and domineering like robbers,” he said. “They have a great influence on the society and have a bad impact on the country and society. They charge tips everywhere. I hope that the Cambodian government will eliminate public officials with a bad image.”
National Police spokesperson Chhay Kimkhoeun said the force had called for an investigation, before the provincial police issued a statement Sunday saying 13 officers were being disciplined by being stationed at the staff office for a month.
The Takeo police statement largely blamed Cui for the incident, saying he was driving at 106 km/h in an 80 km/h zone, and that he “suddenly” shouted at officers and behaved in a bad manner.
The Chinese man took photos of the police “even though the police had advised him not to record them,” the statement said.
He “remained stubborn” and grabbed his phone back from police and slapped a table while pointing at an officer to issue a ticket. Takeo police posted photos of Cui grappling with officers.
To avoid further trouble, the officers allowed him to drive away without collecting the $100 fine, it said.
The police statement further noted that article 7 of sub-decree 39 stipulated a 150,000 riel fine for the Chinese national’s speeding offense, or about $37.5.
