National Parliament Member (MP) Cesar Valente de Jesus has expressed concern that the work of the Community Police (POLKOM) at the grassroots level is hindered is hindered by a lack of vehicles to enable them to perform their duties. 
He said Commission B’s grassroots research showed members were performing their duties but were hampered by the lack of transportation.
“They have to walk on foot to village to do their duty; how then can they be effective?” he asked.
He appealed to the government to pay attention to this issue so POLKOM could perform their duties more efficiently.
POLKOM department deputy chief Helena Das Dores Alves acknowledged the transport difficulties.
“(There are problems with) transport such as cars and motorbikes, as well as radios for communication, places to live in village, food and so on,” Deputy Alves said.
She said POLKOM also faced issues with staffing.
“There are 442 villages in Timor-Leste but we only have few Community Police members,” she said.
She said the National Police of Timor-Leste General Commander had raised the issue with the government.
