Australian to Be UN Police Commissioner in East Timor

We welcome the appointment of Ms Sandra Peisley as Commissioner of the United Nations (UN) civilian police force in East Timor.  Ms Peisley will take up the position in Dili at the end of June, replacing Canadian officer Mr Peter Miller.

The UN Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET) is mandated by the Security Council to provide interim law enforcement and public security in East Timor and to assist in the development of a professional East Timorese police service.

Ms Peisley is a senior Australian police officer with a strong history of achievement in policing and strategic leadership with the Australian Federal Police and the Commonwealth’s Protective Security Coordination Centre.  Ms Peisley has also served with the United Nations in Cyprus.  Her depth of experience qualifies her well for the challenging tasks still ahead of the UN in meeting the law enforcement mandate for East Timor.

Ms Peisley’s selection is testament to the high esteem in which Australian law enforcement is held around the world

Under the umbrella of the United Nations, Australian police have a history of providing high quality assistance to law and order outcomes in many theatres, including East Timor. AFP officers were part of the initial contingent to be deployed to East Timor in 1999 in what proved to be a very difficult and dangerous environment. 

Media inquiries: Chris Kenny  (02) 6277 7500 (Mr Downer) - Mairi Barton (02) 6277 7260 (Senator Ellison)