Institutionalizing community policing in Timor-Leste

Over the course of the last decade, the development of the Polícia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL) has been a core focus of the international community as well as successive national governments. As capacity has been developed at both the individual and organizational levels, the need for the PNTL to develop into a community oriented police service has been stated regularly. Despite this prominence in international and national rhetoric on police development, demonstrable progress toward making community policing a cornerstone of policing in Timor-Leste has been very limited. This study intends to focus on and clarify the national-level political aspects of police reform in Timor-Leste. Presenting openly this analysis of the politics and pressures affecting the direction of police development in Timor-Leste is intended to stimulate constructive debate. By gathering and presenting information on levels of understanding of, and support for community policing among key groups and actors, this research aims to enable a more nuanced discussion on the limitations and opportunities for improving policing and security in Timor-Leste. The study identifies potential obstacles and challenges, as well as opportunities and practical recommendations for addressing these problems.