Minister of State and of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and

Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste

 Díli, October 2nd, 2015

Dr. Vicente Fernandes e Brito sworn in as Director of the Timor-Leste Scientific Police for Criminal Investigation

Yesterday, in a ceremony at the Judicial Training Centre, Dr. Vicente Fernandes e Brito was sworn into office as the Director of the Scientific Police for Criminal Investigation by Acting Prime Minister and Minister of State and of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira.

The new National Director has worked for some fifteen years within the Timorese Justice sector as a career magistrate and Prosecutor, rising to the role of Deputy Prosecutor General.

The Scientific Police for Criminal Investigation [PCIC] was officially created in May last year to work cooperatively with other entities undertaking criminal investigation domestically, such as the National Police Force [PNTL], the Anti Corruption Commission and the Migration Service, and internationally such as INTERPOL and other Agencies combatting transnational crime. It is a scientific law enforcement agency focused exclusively on criminal investigation, independently structured, technically equipped and with highly specialized staff.

The swearing in ceremony, before senior members of Government and Judiciary, included speeches by the Acting Prime Minister Pereira, the Secretary of State for Land and Property representing the Minister of Justice, Jaime Xavier Lopes and the new Director, Dr. Vicente Fernandes e Brito.

Secretary of State Lopes noted that the PCIC had an important role in fighting serious organized crime and was key to addressing increasingly sophisticated and complex criminal activities. He reminded that the PCIC was expected to maintain high standards of “professionalism, ethical behavior, impartiality and independence”.

The new National Director, Dr. Brito, remarked that the PCIC must do its work with scientific rigor as it identifies and collects evidence to contribute to a fair, credible and impartial trial process. He recognised the role he would have to play in consolidating this institution in these early years of its activities and pledged to do everything needed to meet the expectations of his appointment.

Minister of State Agio Pereira congratulated Dr. Vicente Fernandes e Brito on his appointment wishing him every success in his new role. He noted “Dr. Brito’s experience in the justice sector and high professional standards equip him well to lead and consolidate the PCIC, as it investigates, gathers evidence, rigorously applies scientific methodology and ultimately serves the rule of law under the Constitution of Timor-Leste”.