An overseas-based Samoan woman has claimed on social media that on a visit to the police station in Samoa, she had to write her statement on the police computer. Claims that have been refuted by the police.

Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo denied these claims saying that she might be unhappy about the action taken by police regarding the matter she was brought in for. He also explained how the process for writing a statement is done. 

"The police process of taking a statement, the police officers will always write the statements but it has to be given back to the person to read if the content is correct and for any changes before signing and then give it back to the police officer who took the statement to sign it as well," he said in a response to queries by the Samoa Observer. 

"In this matter, a rental company lodged a complaint against her for damaging their rental vehicle. The police referred her back to the rental company to pay those damages before she departed for Australia. I believe she is not happy about the police action and the reason she is doing those Tiktok videos from Australia."

According to Joan Tasi, she was asked to come into the police station on Christmas Eve at 9.30 pm because the police started a new investigation into the matter.

"On 24 December, they asked me to come because they started a new investigation so I wrote my statement on their computer at 9.30 pm, then they made me wait there and let me go after 12.30 am. It was so weird for me because he then tried to twist my words. It's a bit hard for me because the person who stole my car was also a family member," she said.

Joan said the three hours she was at the station was due to the fact that the officers had to get hold of the Funway Rental Company where the damaged rental car was rented from. 

"We bought a used vehicle for $24,800 to replace the one my cousin crashed. The police told me to sort it out with Funway Rental and all they (Funway) wanted was for us to replace the car."

Funway Rental responded by saying that they received a call from the Poutasi Police station after 12 pm on the day the car crashed to report that our car crashed in Siumu, so they rushed over to see for themselves. 

"We went with my son, this was like after 2 am when we got there. We called the tow truck because I had a feeling it might need to be. We got there first but no one was there. I gave another call to the Poutasi police and they asked for the license plate and then he said it was the same car that was reported stolen. So I asked when did they report the car stolen, and they said midnight," said Sheera Ah Kuoi.

"On our way there, we detoured to the cousin's place who reserved the car for her and told her that the car crashed. And she said she told them not to drive the car because they were drinking. So, it was not stolen it crashed. She was responsible for the key, the car because she took it out from here."