20 April 2013

Timor-Leste Police Force 13th Anniversary

East Timor Police Coat of Arms
ETLJB 20 April 2013 - On 27 March, 2013 the Timor-Leste National Police (PNTL) commemorated its 13th anniversary at the PNTL Headquarters in Caicoli, Dili, under the topic “PNTL as Part of the Community, With the Community and for the Community”.

During the ceremony, the PNTL General-Commander, Longuinhos Monteiro, stressed the fact that PNTL is no longer comparable to what it used to be 13 years ago. As a matter of fact, it holds an autonomous position in the definition and orientation of operational activities without being monitored by the United Nations Police (UNPOL).

“Over a period of four years the Timor-Leste National Police has made tremendous efforts to keep its position in accordance with criteria defined by UNMIT, as per the Supplementary Agreement.  We managed to play such a role under the guiding principle defined by our Government in order to determine our own position vis-à-vis the political option of the United Nations”, Longuinhos Monteiro stated.

The PNTL General-Commander also stated that “the National Police has a broad mission in the context of internal security and the Republic, in accordance with the powers conferred to it by the law. To that end, the National Police must be prepared and capable of taking on its responsibility. It must also acquire competences both in its routine activities, through day-to-day interaction with the community, and in extraordinary interventions, in the context of public order, and in other matters relating to the commitment of organised crime. And this is of extreme importance in the context of a State such as Timor-Leste where the population is developing itself in several sectors”.

“I draw your attention to the degree of commitment we had reached previously and to the need for you to keep your new stance as servers of the State, through your behaviour, moral responsibility and professionalism vis-à-vis your individual, collective, and institutional commitment in a future mission. I also request all commanders who, either in your posts or in your squadrons and district commands, along the 13 years during which we were together, have accomplished our duty and obligation with maturity and discipline, conducting a service of responsibility as servers of the State.  Please show once again that it is possible to materialise a dream that ourselves and the people wish to become reality, through your dedication. Long live PNTL! We should all be happy!” Longuinhos Monteiro further stressed.

The Prime Minister and Minister of Defence and Security, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, reminded that “it is still too early for us to consider that all required or necessary conditions for PNTL have already been met. Regain the hierarchy of the command, discipline, ethics and the relationship with the communities, for we originate from the communities! Go hand-in-hand with the community; cooperate with the population on a day-to-day basis, because you are there to serve the community! Always ensure that your institution provides a good service, place the interests of the institution above your own individual interests, for the benefit of firmness and the provision of a good service! You are to be congratulated for your confidence and decision to improve every day!”

The President of the Republic, Taur Matan Ruak, also requested “the officers, sergeanrts and all PNTL police agents to keep practicing good actions for the benefit of our Nation and People, as has been the case over the past 13 years. Try to be better for prestige and credibility shall not come to you free-of-charge; they derive from your efforts, dedication and discipline that you are capable of showing to the public”. Source: Government of East Timor 2/04/2013 Reposted by Warren L. Wright

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