The Minister of Police, Faualo Harry Schuster has confirmed the Samoa government's Treasury has approved a proposal from the Police for extra vehicles to increase their fleet.

The proposal from the Ministry of Police, Prisons, and Corrections Services is in preparation for October 2024 when Samoa will host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. 

Earlier this year Faualo made reference to his ministry's plans to expand their fleet after some of their vehicles were damaged.

In an interview with the Samoa Observer, the Minister emphasised that his ministry's preparations for the CHOGM are flowing steadily without major interruptions following the approval.

"The proposal by the Ministry for extra vehicles has been approved by the Treasury and also, the Government of Japan has also offered some extra vehicles," he said.

"So we're on track with our preparations for the CHOGM. It was 26 vehicles that we targeted and that target has been achieved."

Asked whether there will be any new activities and operations to be carried out by Police in the lead-up to the summit next October, Faualo said "yes".

"Right now, we are still doing the same process, liaising with New Zealand and Australia in preparation for CHOGM so the collaborations with the two countries are flowing well," he said.

"We also have the Australian Federal Police Commander here in the country, Dan Evans working closely with the police in preparations and Australia's assistance in preparations for the CHOGM.

"The Police Commissioner is also in contact with the New Zealand Police Commissioner and there are also police officers from New Zealand who are travelling over from time to time to meet with the Commissioner to discuss New Zealand's assistance for CHOGM.

"So it's going well. We don't experience too many issues but mostly, our officers are being prepared for their usual responsibilities in preparation for the CHOGM."

Part of the training for officers within the ministry includes the development of their remote piloted aircraft system (RPAS) capability, with the first Samoa Qualification Authority (SQA)-endorsed Police Drone Training.

Meanwhile, the contract for the procurement of 14 new vehicles was approved in June this year and was awarded to OTT Engineering Services at a cost of SAT$130,000 and Asco Motors for a cost of SAT$1,228,950.

Earlier this year, the Ministry signed an agreement for the Japan Government to fund over 10 vehicles for the Police with the Ministry's initial target to obtain 30 more vehicles by the end of this year before the start of the CHOGM in Apia.

The vehicles are both for Police preparations for next year's CHOGM as well as for the use of the ministry, as their current fleet of vehicles is either old or in need of major repairs and no longer roadworthy. 

"It's replacing the fleet but also all the new vehicles will be used by the Ministry for the CHOGM conference as they will be greatly needed and so we'll be looking for more," Faualo said.

Before Faualo became the new Police Minister in August 2021, the initiative of getting more vehicles for the ministry before the CHOGM was already confirmed and on the table following discussions within the ministry.