Deputy Police Commissioner Papalii Monalisa Tiai-Keti will be in charge of the nation's Police force the Commissioner, Fuiavailiili Egon Keil takes overseas leave for medical treatment. 

In a statement issued by the Police and Prisons on their Facebook page, the Police Commissioner confirmed the Caretaker Cabinet has approved Papalii to fulfill the role in his absence. His treatment is not available in Samoa forcing the Commissioner to seek medical attention abroad. 

“The Samoan people can remain confident and reassured in the Samoa Police, Prisons and Corrections Services under my deputy’s stewardship during my brief absence,” said Fuiavailiili.

“I am taking this leave on the advice of my doctor to seek medical treatment in New Zealand for a condition that cannot be treated in Samoa but by a medical specialist found overseas. 

“I anticipate leaving Samoa this week and will be away for approximately one month.”

While our country is going through a difficult time following the Samoa General Election the Commissioner is confident the community will continue to receive professional police and prison services during his absence.

Papalii is one of three Deputy Commissioners and is the first woman to be appointed as a deputy Police chief. 

Her appointment to second in command in 2018 came after some 14 years in the force. 

The other deputy Commissioners are Auapaau Logoitino Filipo and Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga. 

In a recent interview, Fuiavailiili he said he is comfortable leaving knowing his three deputies can do the job and keep up the force’s priorities. 

“It’s true that I’m leaving but there are certain things that come into play and once those are okay I can safely go and do what I can do medically and quickly come back,” Fuiava said. 

“I want to be part of this whole political dilemma, I want to be here as part of it and at the same time I can’t do my job if I’m not healthy. It's in my interest and the interest of the public.

“We don’t have any influence from what politicians are doing or other players…at the end of all this we want to be seen as the organisation that are doing the right thing, not bias and balanced.”