The Ministry of Police, Prisons and Corrections hosted an officiating ceremony on Friday to welcome new promotions for some of its officers.

Some of the appointments include: the Assistant Commissioner of Savaii, Galumalemana Eneliko Taeu Masipa’u and the Assistant Chief Executive Officer of ICT, Laulu Angelo Chan Mow.

Others include: Senior Corrections Officer - Viliamu Leiua, Principal Corrections Officer - Sanele Mulipola, Unit Officer In-Charge – Faamanatu Upuese.

The Police, Prisons and Corrections Commissioner, Fuiavailiili Egon Keil said that the gathering is to congratulate all who have attained a well-deserved promotion.

“It is evident that hard work, perseverance, and well intentions pay,” he said.

He added that Galumalemana is responsible for the smooth operations of all of Savaii law enforcement activities which include police and prisons management.

“Not only will he [Galumalemana] be responsible for the activities of about 80 police members and 15 prison members in Savaii, he is also accountable for the wellbeing and housing of 40 plus prisoners in the Vaia’ata prison.

While Laulu is responsible for the IT operations for the whole organisation.

“[Laulu] he has definitely made tremendous contributions in the development of our ICT capability and his professionalism and intelligence in his discipline has also been recognized by a regional entity PICP through ‘Cyber Safety Pacifika’ where he received a ‘Commendation Award’ for achieving the highest overall score in a Cybercrime Investigation training.”

The Assistant Commissioner of Savaii, Galumalemana told the Samoa Observer that his long term goal is to build the capacity professionally of the police officers in Savaii. 

“It has always been a passion of mine to work closely with the community in Savaii especially the villages and its leaders, I always want to give back to the island,” he said. 

Fuiavailiili added that, “we must strive every day to fulfill the Oath of Office we swore to uphold; to be law enforcers, to protect and serve our people.”

“As Commissioner of Police, I have noticed many in our service who also hold [Galumalemana and Laulu] inherit traits and values; in all categories – male and female –sworn and non-sworn. 

“Police officers and civilian members alike who strive for perfection and have the pure intent to improve our service delivery and capabilities; who go the extra mile and max themselves out to achieve our goals and abide by our rules and our code of conduct.

“I know that I am preaching to the choir, but we should be commending and reminding ourselves that we are the good guys. Though we do make mistakes, we must hold true to ourselves and admit to those mistakes and then we shift and make policy change to avoid repeats of that mistake…learn from those errors.”

The Police and Prisons Commissioner said: “[And] to follow the law and to do so with grace and with the spiritual guidance of God and reverence for life.”

“We knowingly place ourselves in harm’s way every time every time [we wear] that uniform; whether a police or prison uniform.”

He also used a quote from the famous Italian political philosopher Niccolo Machiavelli to inspire the newly elevated to live up to the expectations of their positions: ‘It is not titles that honour men, but men that honour titles.’