The Deputy Director of Mahein Foundation (FM), Joao Almeida Fernandes urged the Command the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) to establish suku (village) police posts to facilitate the work on officers at the grassroots.
He added that sometimes problems occur in the sukus and the police is late to respond because they do not live locally.
“Even though they have been posted to the sukus, the have not place to stay so they can do their job efficiently,” said FM’s Deputy Director, in Dili.
Another challenge the police officers face is not having funds to purchase phone credits so they can communicate with the local authorities.
“They lack communication and also fuel for their transport,” he said also.
FM urges the command of PNTL to improve the conditions of staff placed in the sukus.
In response to the concern, the II Commander of the Communitarian Police Unit Helena das Dores said she is aware of the issues. She added PNTL intends to establish police posts at the suku level.
“The command is looking at how the performance of community police can be strenghtned,” said II Commander das Dores in Kaikoli, Dili.
Regarding to the lack of fuel and credit for better communication, she said they have only a limited budget so it will take longer to fix these problems.
“But it should be resolved shortly,” added II Commander das Dores.
