The chief of Kampong Thom provincial police has preemptively denied claims his relatives and subordinates pocketed cash bribes of up to $3,000 from police recruit hopefuls.

Chou Sam An, in a letter to the provincial court also posted on the provincial police Facebook page on May 5, said he had no knowledge of any such payments.

Speaking to the Post yesterday, Sam An said rumours were circulating but denied any knowledge of the affair.

“There is a rumour that some police, perhaps police under my supervision or maybe my relatives, took money from those who want to join the police force,” he said.

“They took between $2,000 and $3,000 each for a promise they would get the job.”

“I am afraid that the Anti-Corruption Unit may put the blame on me.”

Sam An said it was not his job to recruit officers to Kampong Thom, but he prepared a list of interested people who would then sit an exam.

In case of a complaint lodged against police, Sam An wrote in his letter, “The provincial police department would like to totally deny any action in the future. In case there is a complaint from any individual, we are not responsible from the date the letter is submitted.”

ACU chief Om Yentieng said he had not yet received any complaint and the matter was for the provincial court, which could not be reached yesterday.