Maritime Police Conduct Vessel Boarding Training

Last Thursday, 25 October, fifteen Policia Nacional de Timor Leste (PNTL) Maritime Police Unit (MPU) Officers graduated from a two-week Boarding Officer Course presented by the United States Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) , U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and UN Maritime Advisor as part of a $1.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of State. The MPU received training in international law, smuggling trends, drug identification, maritime law enforcement, hands-on defensive tactics, maritime boarding procedures, and high-risk search techniques. The course culminated with a final boarding exercise by the MPU in the Port of Dili where they put their training to use in actual boarding scenarios.

Selected MPU Officers will continue to attend a follow-on two-week Maritime Law Enforcement Instructor Course beginning the week of 29 October. These officers will become instructors for MPU, wherein, they will generate new and ongoing training for the MPU to sustain current skills and increase capabilities.