Global perspective Human stories

New manual will boost efforts to develop Timorese police force – UN envoy

New manual will boost efforts to develop Timorese police force – UN envoy

Atul Khare, Special Representative for Timor-Leste
The top United Nations official in Timor-Leste has hailed a new textbook and handbook to be given to every national police officer, stating that they will assist in creating a professional police force in the young nation.

Speaking at the eighth anniversary of the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) in Dili today, Atul Khare said the resources will be invaluable in developing the force’s professional knowledge.

The materials, launched today, provide definitions on all laws relevant to the PNTL. A total of 3,120 textbooks and 6,000 handbooks have been printed in Tetum and both books provide practical information for officers working on the frontline.

“Developing a police service that is accountable to, and respected by, the people is a long-term commitment,” said Mr. Khare, who is also head of the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT).

“The road ahead is long, but I am confident that we are on the right path to assist the PNTL in becoming an effective, efficient, accountable, responsive, and non-partisan police service, based on the rule of law and respect for and protection of human rights of all persons,” he added.

The books were produced by the Government, UNMIT Police, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the Timor-Leste Police Development Program (TLPDP), with funding from the Government of Japan.

Last week a team of experts from UN Headquarters in New York visited Timor-Leste, which the world body helped shepherd to independence in 2002, to assess the progress made by the PNTL, as well as to consider how best to support the overall reform of the National Police and the wider security sector.