On March 27, 2012, the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) celebrated its twelfth anniversary at the PNTL headquarters in Dili under the motto: “With Professionalism We Guaranteed Peace and Stability.”

“”Today we are gathered here to celebrate the twelfth anniversary of the PNTL, a still young State institution yet one that has showed discipline, maturity and commitment to serve our People and our State in the first examination that was the recent election process”, said Commander-General of the PNTL, Commissioner Longuinhos Monteiro, adding: “We hope that this fact is a sufficient answer to those who have questioned the professionalism and commitment of the National Police of Timor-Leste”

Longuinhos Monteiro further stated: “The first exam is over, however, there is another one soon and its success depends not only on the police or armed forces or other friendly forces, but also depends on the political and democratic maturity of the politicians and the People, as we saw in the first round of the presidential election”.

The President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta, also congratulated the Institution: ” As Head of State, I congratulate the National Police of Timor-Leste, its Commander-General and the command of PNTL and also to UNPOL that, along with the PNTL, has over the past five years gradually rebuilt a new institution after the 2006 crisis broke out, and with it the loss of the confidence of the people. I also congratulate the human resource development in the PNTL through the new recruitment. The new spirit that it inspired led you to regain the confidence of the people, over these four years, making your presence now requested throughout the territory”.