A National Member of Parliament has called for an investigation following an incident in which an officer from the National Police Service (PNTL) allegedly hit a man and threatened the community with his gun in Bairo-Pite suku in Dili.
MP Francisco da Costa said police had a duty to protect and serve their country, not to hit or threaten people.
The police officer and some friends are alleged to have attacked the victim in his home on August 19 about 2am, before dragging him 100m down the street and hitting him.
“This is bad attitude[by police] and we should have a professional investigation,” he told parliament.
He said the incident had been very traumatic for the community as the police officer had fired his gun and threatened people.
Under article 4 in the PNTL’s internal law, police officers are not permitted to carry or use weapons after 5.30pm. It also states that weapons must be collected and warehoused at an appropriate site, but da Costa said in reality this was not being enforced.
In response to the issue, Administration Commander Superintendent Mateus Fernandes urged the public to report any incidents with police officers.
“Come and report it so we can know who is in the wrong,” he said.
If investigations showed that the officer in question had committed crime, he said the PNTL would impose an appropriate sanction.
