A Stung Treng spokesperson has defended the use of violence in arrests related to “red-handed” crimes as he responded to a video of seemingly unnecessary violence while handcuffing a man in front of his young child.
Provincial police also justified the violence by saying the 32-year-old had been suspected of stealing a military police car.
Earlier this month, a video was posted to Facebook showing police stopping a car and several middle-aged officers, mostly in plainclothes, grabbing and kicking the driver as they try to find handcuffs for him.
His young child walks around crying as the man yells, “Don’t beat me.”
“Please don’t beat me. Don’t hit me. I didn’t steal it. Give back my child.”
The Facebook post was shared over 20,000 times, saw more than 43,000 reactions, and received over 6,000 comments, many criticizing the police.
“There is no need to beat or torture, our country is not a communist country,” one user said in a comment liked by 1,200 users.
In response, the provincial police issued a statement saying “Facebook users should not be confused.” The 32-year-old had been suspected of stealing a military police car on October 4 just after midday in Stung Treng city, it said, giving further details of the time and place of the alleged crime.
“As mentioned above, the public and Facebook users should not be confused about the above case as it is really a car theft case. We look forward to welcoming you in a constructive and responsible manner,” police said.
Stung Treng administration spokesman Men Kong on Monday reiterated the details of the alleged crime, saying the 32-year-old worked for a banana plantation and had parked his unlicensed motorbike near provincial police military headquarters. He added that he did not know how the man was able to drive away with the car.
When asked about officers using violence in front of the man’s child, Kong suggested it was permissible when suspects were being arrested in the act of committing a crime. “Law enforcement forces have already been instructed in red-handed crime operations,” he said.
Earlier this month, a Kampong Speu commune police chief said the use of torture during interrogations in cases of murder or robbery was “suitable.”
