Former Police Commissioner and a well-respected member of the public Saunoamaalii Tupuola Sonny Schuster passed away peacefully last Thursday.

The former Police Commissioner was 94-years-old and is survived by his wife, Malaea Theresa Matautia Schuster and his 10 children. 

His son and Minister of Police, Faualo Harry Schuster confirmed the passing of his father from natural causes on the same day Anzac Day was observed in Samoa. 

“He was our idol, our role model and we looked up to him,” said Faualo. “He was a good man and a very good father…” 

Saunoamaalii held the Commissioner's position from 1978 to 1989, and was the Samoan Police Commissioner for 11 years and served the Ministry of Police for more than 30 years.

The first Police Commissioner for Samoa, Alfonzo Louis Phillipp served as Commissioner for 12 years when the Ministry of Police was first established from 1954 to 1966. 

According to Faualo, his father kept his police work private and was the last patriarch of his family in Safata. 

“All we know that he was a policeman, he kept that private from us and never talked about it,” Faualo said about his father’s work life. 

Saunoamaalii might have kept his professional life private but his work and ethics are still remembered by Samoa Police who often refer to him as a prime example of someone who was independent and had high regard for the law. 

He was also a former President of the Samoa Police Association and had strongly opposed the former Government’s move to have the Commissioner position contracted.

A former police officer and a former President of the Samoa Police Association, Galumalemana Autagavaia Tipi spoke highly of Saunoamaalii and how he was well respected in the industry. 

“This is one Commissioner that truly upheld the law, he was very strict and there was no favouritism during his time,” said Galumalemana. 

“The police profession was well respected during his time because they were well disciplined under his leadership ensuring that police officers abide by the law. 

“He is also remembered for being against the change to have the Commissioner position contracted because he believed that Police should be independent and not be influenced or involved in politics and we have seen those political influence during the time of the 2021 crisis…it is something for the new government to consider.” 

Galumalemana extended his condolences to the family of Saunoamaalii noting the former Commissioner lived a long and meaningful life. 

Saunoamalii is from the villages of Apia, Fusi and Fausaga Safata.  

In 2019, Saunoamaalii and the late Jack Netzler led a fundraiser with the Schuster family that gathered for a reunion to put together assistance to gift to families of children infected with the measles epidemic.