The Commander of the National Traffic Police Unit, Inspector Chief Antonio L.C Soares said some police officers have been caught violating traffic regulations during traffic operations.
He said 17 motorbikes were seized by traffic police and this included motorbikes owned by police officers themselves.
“Some motorbikes don’t have license plates, some have expired documents and some don’t bring documents with them,” said Commander Soares, in Kaikoli, Dili.
He added that some police officers who brake traffic regulations will be punished twice, firstly they will have to pay a fine to the National Directorate of Transport (DNTT) and secondly they will receive a disciplinary sanction.
“In addition to paying a fine as per the road code, they will have to liable for disciplinary action,” said Commander Soares.
He said driving cars without license plates violates Ministerial Diploma No 5/2010, Article 112 no 8.9 and driving with expired documents breaks Article 124 no 5.
“Traffic violators need to know these laws,” said the Commander.
Member of Parliament MP Cesar Valente from Commission B (for security, defence and foreign affairs) said the traffic police seem to be implementing the laws impartially to all citizens.
“They do implement the laws starting from their own institution and to all people,” said MP Valente.
The MP added that one of the main causes why police officers have expired traffic documents is because they do not have time to renew their documents at DNTT.
Meanwhile citizen Vasco Fernandes said what the police want is to educate other people so that the law is implemented to all citizens.
“Just because he or she is a police officer, this does not mean he or she cannot be apprehended,” said citizen Fernandes.
