On 01 March 2018 UNDP was present at the donation and handover of workshop tools and fleet equipment by the Embassy of the United States to the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) under the technical assistance programme for fleet management support.

“We are proud to support PNTL through strong cooperation in provision of equipment, training, management and accountability as PNTL provides vital peace and security which will be especially important during the upcoming elections,” said U.S. Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Kathleen M. Fitzpatrick.

“This equipment will directly benefit and be important for PNTL as it exercises its responsibilities. We commend the efforts of PNTL to professionalise and modernize in its efforts to serve communities.  The United States is proud to contribute to these efforts.”

UNDP’s broader assistance to Timor-Leste’s police administration aims to assist the PNTL to gain better control and management over its fleet assets and to ensure optimum performance of police vehicles, a programme funded thanks to the generous contributions of the United States of America and Australia Federal Police.

The United States Government generously supported this initiative through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) Fund, with initial funding of USD $360,000. This is a significant and sizable contribution to a specialized area of police administration, but one that is highly valuable and appreciated given the critical nature of managing fleet assets for effective daily police operations.  

“We are grateful for the good support we have received, including training and capacity building which will help us to make good use of this equipment,” said PNTL Commander General is Julio da Costa Hornay (Comisarrio).

“The support we have received from the United States and UNDP is important and we will continue to work together in the future.”

UNDP is confident that the assistance provided to fleet management at the PNTL will have a direct impact on the capacity of policing services to improve the security of Timorese communities. We would like to once again thank the United States Government and our counterparts at the PNTL for this valuable cooperation.