First group of UN-trained East Timorese police officers take up duties
12 July -- The first 50 graduates of East Timor's Police Training College officially took up their functions as police officers today, the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) said in a statement issued in Dili. "These cadets went through a rigorous selection process," UNTAET chief Sergio Vieira de Mello said at the officers' graduation ceremony in Dili yesterday. "They have worked hard and succeeded in their efforts. They are pioneers."
Mr. Vieira de Mello stressed the important role to be played by the women officers, who, "more than men, will have the sensitivity to address the specific problems related to crimes against women, such as domestic violence and rape."
The officers -- 38 men and 12 women -- will be deployed in their home districts and will receive additional on-the-job training in criminal investigations, traffic control, community policing and administration. After three months, the police officers will start a six-month probation period during which they will be provided specialized training. According to UNTAET, they will be "fully empowered" police officers on 2 April 2001, and will gradually take over responsibility for law and order as the downsizing of the international civilian police force begins.
The second batch of 50 cadets will start training next week, UNTAET said, adding that the goal was to train 500 Timorese police officers by June 2001, towards an overall force strength of 3,000. In other developments, Secretary-General Kofi Annan has appointed Lieutenant-General Boonsrang Niumpradit of Thailand as Force Commander of UNTAET's military component, as of 19 July 2000. He will succeed Lieutenant-General Jaime de los Santos of the Philippines, who will return to his national service. Mr. Niumpradit joined the Thai Armed Forces in 1963 and was trained at the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy and the United States Military Academy.
He most recently held the position of Superintendent of the National Defence College at the National Defence Studies Institute. Meanwhile the National Consultative Council (NCC) -- a quasi-cabinet and quasi-legislative body -- adopted a regulation today establishing a transitional cabinet comprised of four East Timorese and four UNTAET representatives. The Timorese will hold the portfolios on Internal
Administration, Infrastructure, Economy and Social Affairs, while UNTAET will be responsible for Finance, Justice, Police and Emergency Services, and Political Affairs, the UN mission said. The current 15-member NCC will be dissolved at the first session of the National Legislative Council, whose establishment was discussed yesterday at a public hearing and will be considered tomorrow at an NCC meeting.
