Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
PCIC
PCIC

About

Scientific Criminal Investigation Police

The Scientific Criminal Investigation Police (PCIC) is an institution of the Timorese State under the Ministry of Justice, with administrative, financial, and patrimonial autonomy. Established by Decree-Law No. 15/2014 of 14 May, PCIC is the principal auxiliary body to the administration of justice in criminal investigation matters, operating under the functional direction of the Public Prosecution Service and in strict compliance with the Constitution and democratic legality.

Headquartered in Díli and with jurisdiction throughout the national territory - including the Special Administrative Region of Oécussi Ambeno, the island of Ataúro, and the islet of Jaco - PCIC is responsible for the prevention, detection, and investigation of serious, complex, and organised crime, while also ensuring the national centralisation of criminal information and international police cooperation through the INTERPOL Department.

Mission

PCIC's mission is to support the judicial authorities, develop and promote the actions of prevention, detection, and investigation within its competence or assigned to it by the competent judicial authorities, and to ensure the national centralisation of criminal information together with the corresponding operational coordination and international police cooperation. The institution acts exclusively in defence of society, in full compliance with democratic legality, and with respect for the rights of citizens.

Vision

To be recognised as an institution of excellence in detecting and combating serious, complex, and organised crime, contributing to the sense of security of the citizens of Timor-Leste.

Values

PCIC's conduct is guided by the values set out in its Code of Ethics and Conduct, approved by Ministerial Diploma No. 42/2016 of 27 July. The institution's professionals commit to cultivating and promoting the principles of humanism, justice, integrity, honour, dignity, impartiality, neutrality, probity, and solidarity. These values guide every act of public service, ensuring that duties are carried out with rigour, respect for the human person, and full regard for the rights and freedoms of citizens, regardless of their status or procedural position.