The U.S. Embassy in Timor-Leste provided 15 motorbikes for the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) to support national police officers in their duties.
“The motorcycles will help the police officers to do their work at the grassroots level,” said PNTL’s Deputy Police Commander Commissioner Afonso de Jesus from his office in Kaikoli, Dili.
Deputy Commander de Jesus added the embassy has provided continuous support to the PNTL and apart from the motorcycles also provided drug detection equipment and in 2014 provided training to officers from the Border Patrol Unit (UPF) to enhance knowledge on the correct steps take to tackle illegal drugs entering the country.
“Illegal drugs are not only a national issue but also they are part of a global issue.”
He added that thus far the collaboration between the U.S. Embassy and PNTL has been excellent and he is appreciative of the support to the PNTL.
MP Virgilio da Costa Hornai noted the support the U.S. Embassy has so far provided to the national police force and he urges PNTL to use the facilities and equipment to better serve the community at the grassroots level with more professionalism.
“I hope this donation will strengthen the [PNTL] institution into the future,” said MP Hornai.
He wishes the work cooperation to continue into the future and that this is a relationship that needs to be fostered.
