Timor-Leste police take control of UN-backed training centre

Timor-Leste’s police force, known as PNTL, has taken over the United Nations-supported police training centre as part of the gradual handover of responsibility by the world body’s peacekeeping mission to local law enforcement officers.

The Police Training Centre in the capital, Dili, is the fourth place the PNTL has resumed primary responsibility since the process kicked off this May in the district of Lautem, followed by the districts of Oecussi and Manatuto.

The facility, also backed by Australia, Japan and Portugal, seeks to provide training and development for police officers.

Today’s handover was marked by a ceremony attended by Atul Khare, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, and Francisco Guterres, Timor-Leste’s Secretary of State for Security, who was there on behalf of Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão.

“This transition is a delicate process,” Mr. Khare said. “Resumption does not mean that the PNTL have achieved perfection as a police service or have no need for further institutional strengthening efforts.”

He stressed the development of a police force takes decades, extending far past a peacekeeping mission’s mandate.

“Timor-Leste is not unique in this regard. There are countries much older which are struggling to develop police which are effective and responsible,” the Special Representative said, underscoring the strong partnership between the Timorese authorities and the UN mission, known as (UNMIT).

UNMIT and Timor-Leste’s Government are working together to progressively hand over policing responsibilities district by district, based on rigorous assessments of whether the PNTL is ready to assume responsibility.

UN Police took over law enforcement duties in 2006 after fighting – attributed to differences between eastern and western regions – erupted following the firing of 600 striking soldiers, or one-third of the armed forces. Ensuing violence claimed dozens of lives and drove 155,000 people, or about 15 per cent of the total population, from their homes.

Last week, UNMIT marked ten years since the historic UN-organized referendum that led to the independence of the South-East Asian nation. Timorese turned out in huge numbers on 30 August 1999 to vote in the popular consultation on their future. The result – announced five days later on 4 September – was an overwhelming choice for independence over autonomy within Indonesia.