AFP support PNTL and prosecutors conference to build investigation capacity
3 July 2014
Timor-Leste National Police (PNTL) officers and prosecutors from the Office of the Prosecutor General (OPG) gathered together in Dili from 30 June to 2 July for a conference which aimed to build better understanding of the two organisations’ roles and capabilities in investigating crime.
Deputy Commander General of the PNTL, Afonso de Jesus, and Deputy Prosecutor General, Zelia Trindade, opened the conference with the theme “Advancing Investigations Management”. Among other things, participants learnt about advancements in legal procedure in the collection of evidence.
The conference was an important professional development opportunity for the PNTL and OPG, with police investigators and prosecutors from each district attending. Participants practiced their skills through a desktop exercise which simulated the PNTL working together with the OPG, from receiving a crime report through to providing a prosecution brief to the court.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers provided support for the conference through the Timor-Leste Police Development Program (TLPDP). The conference was the culmination of a range of AFP activities supporting the PNTL in developing a system to improve investigations management techniques, including quality assurance of files and improving protocols for transferring investigations cases to the OPG.The success of these capacity development initiatives was noted recently by the Prosecutor General, who commented on the significant improvement in the quality of investigations files passing from the PNTL to the OPG.
 Chief Inspector Augostu Tilman presents at the PNTL/OPG conference in Dili on 30 June 2014. Photo: Australian Embassy Dili. |
 Deputy Commander General of PNTL, Afonso de Jesus, and Deputy Prosecutor General Zelia Trindade, opened the conference in Dili on 30 June 2014. Photo: Australian Embassy Dili |
 Deputy Commander General of PNTL, Afonso de Jesus, and Deputy Prosecutor General Zelia Trindade, opened the conference in Dili on 30 June 2014. Photo: Australian Embassy Dili |
 Participants practiced their skills through a desktop exercise which simulated the PNTL working together with the OPG. Photo: Australian Embassy Dili |