Community Policing in Timor-Leste

Abstract

When Timor-Leste gained independence in 2002 one of its most pressing priorities was to build a functioning police force to help ensure peace, stability, and justice. Establishing Polícia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL) required the government to address significant challenges related to limitations of experience, resources, and institutional systems. From the beginning, the government, along with international development partners, was focused on strengthening safety and security in Timor-Leste through community-focused approaches to policing. The concept of community policing can mean many things to many people, however, all models share a focus on addressing potential or actual security problems through strong relationships between police officers and citizens. Community policing helps communities by preventing disputes and allowing for constructive, evidence-based responses to disputes after they have occurred. Community policing helps police by improving their access to information and ties to the communities they work in. Community policing helps governments by building people’s trust and understanding of the state’s institutions and processes of law enforcement.