PNTL: from 2000 to 2011
On March 27th, the Timor-Leste National Police (PNTL) completed 11 years of existence. This article presents a brief summary of the national institution’s history, which its 11th anniversary was particularly important since it was precisely on this day that the PNTL regained its executive power for national security, rendered, since 2006, to the United Nations Police (UNPOL).
“The anniversary on March 27th, 2011, marks two very important events for us. First, the anniversary itself is a moment for reflection, an opportunity to evaluate the work done by the PNTL. Secondly, it was during this anniversary that the delivery of this power was done from the UNPOL to our Police”, said the Secretary of State for Security, Francisco Guterres, in an interview to the radio program “Goodbye Conflict, Welcome Development”.
Created in 2000 by the UNTAET (The United Nations Transitory Administration of Timor-Leste), the PNTL has been growing and establishing itself in a slow and irregular way, having required, more than once, external support to guarantee the country’s security. In December 2002, seven months after the restoration of the independence, the intervention of the United Nations Mission international military forces present in Timor-Leste was necessary to re-establish public order.
In 2004, the PNTL assumed its functions, becoming the sole police force responsible for the country’s internal security. After two years of an apparent stability, in April of 2006, crisis returned to the young Nation. The Timorese authorities were obligated to again ask support to the United Nations Organization (UN). The UN assumed the responsibility for security, and the PNTL stayed under UNPOL responsibility.
In 2008, with the situation stabilized, the power transference began to be planned for it to be done in a consistent and secure way. At the same time that the operational staff received training, the Government reorganized the Police, approving a new Organic Law and a new Carrier Regime that more adequate to its characteristics.
Thus, in 2009, the PNTL started to reassume the responsibility for the country’s internal security. The first unity to recover its functions was the Lautém District Command, followed by Oe-Cusse Ambeno and Manatuto, and subsequently, in a gradual way, all the country’s District Commands. The total transference, from UNPOL to PNTL, of the executive power regarding security, culminated in Díli, during the celebration of the 11th Anniversary of the National Police, on March 27th, 2011.
The Secretary of State for Security considers that this is a “challenge that the Police will face, particularly in the future. We know that we still have some problems to solve but I’m confidant that the PNTL will work even better”.
