East Timor Threatens To Sack Hundreds Of Police Officers

PR Log (Press Release) – Nov 22, 2007 – East Timor's leading national newspaper, Suara Timor Lorosa'e, reported today (22/11) that hundreds of members of the East Timor National Police are liable to be dismissed as over 300 members have potentially been involved in criminal and disciplinary cases.  

The Commander designate of the East Timor National Police, Hermenegildo da Cruz, said in Dili yesterday that "if the evaluation panel determines that 366 members have been involved in serious cases then they will be sacked."

A rigourous screening program has been undertaken of all officers following the disintegration of the police force in the wake of the violence that rocked the country in 2006 and which culminated in the massacre in front of the Ministry of Justice of 8 unarmed police officers by defence force personnel on 25 May of that year.

Mr. da Cruz said that some of the members will still be able to join the police force if it is found that they are not involved in serious cases.

It was the dismissal of a third of the East Timor Defence Force under the then Fretilin government last year that led to the violent upheavals in April and May 2006 that left dozens dead and tens of thousands displaced. Several soldiers are presently standing trial in the Dili District Court in connection with the massacre.