Addressing concerns about police behaviour in parliament on Tuesday, Hornai said he stood by his members that continued to work in accordance of the law.

"I ask all people to continue to believe in the PNTL because PNTL is carrying out the National security mission," Hornai said.

The comments come as the Minister for Defense and Security, Filomenio Paixao,

urged a disciplinary shake-up of alleged police brutality and illegal use of firearms, which recently saw three youth killed by off-duty police officers’ police in Kulu-Hun.

Civil society groups have argued for regulations around the use of firearms by off-duty officers and raised questions about the need for police officers to carry guns in the first place.

 Aderito Hugo da Costa, of the National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT) party, said people must support the PNTL as the main entity for national security.

He said misconduct by police officers should receive immediate disciplinary action, but individual conduct should not be used as a base to condemn the PNTL.