Government Congratulates PNTL on 17th Anniversary

MEDIAONETIMOR-The Government has participated in the commemoration of the 17^th Anniversary of the National Police Force of Timor-Leste [PNTL] held on the 27^th of March at the Police Training Centre in Comoro, Dili. The celebrations, with the theme “The Anniversary of 17 years of the PNTL guaranteeing Law, Order and Democracy in Timor-Leste” included an official Parade, the announcement of promotions, conferring of decorations and speeches by the President of the Republic and the Commander-General. A tribute was paid to former members at the PNTL Martyrs’ Monument.

The Prime Minister H.E. Dr. Rui Maria de Araújo and the Minister of the Interior, H.E. Longuinhos Monteiro, joined the President of the Republic, the President of the National Parliament, the President of the Court of Appeal, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces and other dignitaries, to offer their congratulations to the head of the PNTL, Commander-General Júlio da Costa Hornay and all serving personnel, past and present.

The Sixth Constitutional Government has worked diligently to ensure an increasingly professional and better-equipped national police force, focused on a community-policing model. The implementation of the PNTL Strategic Plan 2014-2018 supports this “VIP” model with its core components of Visibility, Involvement in the community and Professional service, and sets out a clear pathway for the ongoing reform and development of the PNTL with allied operational improvements to maintain security, public order and peace.

During the term of this Government the Police for Scientific Criminal Investigation [PCIC] has been consolidated as a scientific law enforcement agency with training in areas such as terrorism, cybercrime, currency counterfeiting, human trafficking and document falsification. Legislation has been passed to give the PNTL and its various agencies the capacity to respond to emerging transnational threats posed in a more globalized world.

The increased maturity and capacity of the PNTL has not gone unnoticed by observers and academic commentators reporting on the conduct of the recent Presidential elections.

Spokesperson for the Government, Minister of State Agio Pereira, said “the Government congratulates the PNTL on its 17^th anniversary. We are proud of the expanding capacity and professionalization of our National Police Force and salute all its men and women who are committed to uphold law and order and serve the Nation.” (ETAN)