Members of the National Parliament have called on the commander of the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) to consider retiring members aged over 60 as they need to rest.
President of Commission B (responsible for foreign affairs, defense and national security) David Dias Ximenes said the commander should identify serving officers who are already at retirement age and provide a pension.
The PNTL does not obligate its older members to retire despite having a system in place.
“They (older officers) need retirement to stay with their family and the state has to pay attention to them when they are retired.” Ximenes said.
PNTL second General Commandant Commissioner Faustino da Costa conceded he was aware of the issue, but said the law did compel the institution to provide for officers’ retirement.
Under the law, officers can continue working past the age of 60 if the institution still needs them, but the institution also gives members the option to retire.
“The law should have compelled those who are older to take retirement,” da Costa explained.
The commissioner said PNTL officers must prepare themselves to take retirement once they reach 60 and receive the pension.
The commander has already identify 47 officers aged over 60 that are eligible to receive the pension, but they want to continue working so the institution gave permission for them to do administrative jobs.
