DILI, 03 June 2026 (TATOLI) — The Council of Ministers has approved a draft government resolution authorizing the recruitment of 750 new personnel for the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) in 2026, as part of efforts to enhance the country’s security and law enforcement capabilities.
The resolution, presented by Interior Minister Francisco da Costa Guterres, provides for the recruitment of an additional 350 police officers on top of the 400 positions previously approved for admission to the Police Officer Training Course, bringing the total number of new positions to 750.
Under the plan, 400 officers will be assigned to general policing duties through municipal police commands, while the remaining 350 positions will reinforce the PNTL’s specialised and reserve units. These include the Maritime Police Unit, the Border Patrol Unit, and the Special Police Unit.
The recruitment initiative is intended to enhance the operational capacity of the national police force in response to evolving security demands.
The expansion is aimed at preparing the country for upcoming electoral processes, strengthening border security, and supporting security requirements linked to Timor-Leste’s role as Chair of ASEAN in 2029.
The measure forms part of broader efforts to ensure the police force is adequately equipped and staffed to address future national security challenges.
TATOLI
