Savoeun was promoted from Deputy National Police Chief to the most senior law enforcement position of the country in November 2008 after his predecessor, Hok Lundy, whose tenure was mired in controversy and accusations of corruption, died in a helicopter crash.

[2] Savoeun is a long-time member of the ruling Cambodian People's Party, which, according to international observers, has dominated politics and held on to power in Cambodia since 1979 through corruption, including extralegal killings, election fraud, control of the media, and at times, open violence such as the 1997 coup and 2015 intimidation of the opposition CNRP deputy leader, Kem Sokha.

[3][4][5][6] Within the CPP, Savoeun is a member of its Central Committee, the body responsible for all core decision making,[7] and maintains close ties with Hun Sen, to whose niece he married in the early 1990s.

After the UN's 1992–1993 protectorate led to elections and the formation of the current Kingdom of Cambodia, Savoeun was given a post in the Interior Ministry as the leader of the Penal Crimes Division's justice department.

[11][12] Also in March, Savoeun threatened to fire police officials for not acting to stop a series of brazen armed robberies of jewelry stores and tourists around the nation.