DILI, 04 october 2023 (TATOLI) – The Timor-Leste National Police (PNTL) has officially reinstated 158 retired officers into the institution after the VIII Government and the General Command carried out the first retirement for those officers in june.
“The PNTL is complying with the government’s decision and has received the 158 officers so that they can continue to carry out their duties,” said the PNTL’s Second General Commander, Pedro Belo, in Dili.
Asked about the assignment of tasks to those officers, Belo said only that: “the matter is still under discussion with the government.”
The same idea was conveyed by the Director of the Mahein Foundation, Nelson Belo: “We respect the political decision of the current government to reinstate the 158 retired officers. However, we recommend that the relevant ministry review and amend the PNTL’s retirement laws in order to provide better conditions for former retirees.”
Belo added that the government should create conditions so that members of the PNTL who want to retire can benefit from social allowances, adding that police officers have the right to a dignified life, as they have dedicated part of their lives to serving the country.
The Council of Ministers approved a draft resolution requiring the reintegration of these officers into the ranks of the PNTL.
Following the approval of the resolution, the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, said that the resolution aimed to: “dignify the sense of service of PNTL police officers, which is extremely important for the effective functioning and maintenance of public trust in the institution, for strengthening the morale and commitment of police officers, positively influencing the quality of the service they provide to the community.”
On 16 june 2023, Timorese National Police (PNTL) held the first retirement ceremony for the 158 respected police officers.
The first retirement of police officers took place at the PNTL Training Center, in Comoro Dili, with the presence of the former Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Fidelis Manuel Leite Magalhães, and the former Vice-Minister of the Interior, António Armindo.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Filomeno Martins
