With the announcement this week of a reduction in Australian troops in Timor-Leste, the IV Constitutional Government's initiatives in strengthening the capacity of the security sector have been clearly recognized by the international community. To continue capacity building, The Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and Security of Timor-Leste, His Excellency Xanana Gusmao, announced today increased programs in specialized leadership training for members of the Timorese police force (PNTL).
This week will see the launch of the first of a series of long term development strategies supported by the Timor-Leste Police Development Program (TLPDP). The TLPDP is a $AUS 53 million commitment by the Government of Australia to assist Timor-Leste in the development of the PNTL.
Twelve executive members of the PNTL will leave Dili on 25 October to travel to Semarang, Indonesia to participate in the first of four leadership development courses at the Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement Cooperation (JCLEC). In total, 57 members of the PNTL will undertake extensive professional leadership training over the next four months.
This is a landmark cooperative effort between Timor-Leste, Australia and Indonesia, the first joint initiative of its kind; three nations working together to achieve the unified goal to improve capacity of the PNTL.
The TLPDP has also engaged the services of the Australian Institute of Police Management, the pre-eminent provider of police leadership and management training in Australia, to design and deliver a program of development in coordination with the Secretary of State for Security, that will give senior PNTL leaders opportunities to learn from global experts in the field of police management and leadership.
In addition to the development of leadership capability, the TLPDP will continue to assist the Government of Timor-Leste in reforms across the security and policing sectors, including building the basic structures and processes to operate an effective, accountable, and professional police force for the nation.
The TLPDP is led by senior Australian police officer Grant Edwards, a member of the Australian Federal Police, and boasts a world class team of police and civilian specialists on the ground in the nation working in tandem with the Timorese to provide ongoing development advice, assistance and support across the corporate and operational areas of the PNTL.
The national priority for the IV Constitutional Government has been maintaining national stability. Significant strategic reforms have been implemented including coordinating security and defense under one ministry, peacefully addressing the conflicts inherited by the previous Government including the petitioners and rebel issues and beginning the arduous tasks of depoliticizing and professionalizing the security sectors while building both human and operational capacity.
Gusmao said "Programs like the TLPDP created to enhance the long term capacity of the PNTL support the Government's overall efforts in consolidating long term peace in Timor-Leste. We are steadfast in our determination to build a professional and trusted world class police force. This is a long term goal shared by all our development partners."
ENDS
For More Information, please contact:
Francisco Guterres
Secretary of State for Security
+670 723 0038
email:
SOURCE: Government of Timor-Leste
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