A welcome ceremony was held by the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority (F.E.S.A.) on Tuesday morning for the Minister of Police, Fire and Emergency Services. But the occasion was all the more special for its recognition that he would be following in his father's footsteps.

The Minister and Associate Minister of Police and Prisons, and Fire and Emergency Services, Faualo Harry Schuster, and new Associate Minister, Fepuleai Faimata  Su'a were officially welcomed by the Ministries.

The ceremony started off with a flag parade and the singing of the National Anthem conducted by the Police and F.E.S.A. staff.

The Samoa Police Commissioner, Fuiavailili Egon Keil delivered welcoming remarks to welcome both the New Minister and his Associate Minister, staff and executive who participated in the event and gave a brief background of the new Minister.

Faualo Harry Shuster is the son of  Saunoamalii Sonny Schuster, himself a former Police Commissioner between 1978 to 1989.

“My father told me that Commissioner Schuster was a man of honour, he was a man of resolve and as expected his legacy still shines bright today and his footprints are still firmly planted,” the Commissioner said.  

While Faualo is new to the ministerial role, he is confident that "he fully understands" its intricacies. The incoming Minister is currently an officer of the court, a lawyer by profession and has a firm grounding in the law.

Faualo urged the public servants in attendance to work together to serve Samoa to the best of their abilities. 

“The duty of both the Ministry of Police and Fire Emergency Services is to protect people and their properties," he said.

"I express thanks to your holiness, the staff of Police and Prisons and Fire Emergency Services for performing your duties at times of hardships during political period from April to July.

"I have so much respect for the staff of both ministries, there is a possibility for their safety to get affected by performing their duties to maintain peace amongst the public.

I congratulate and thank you all for being brave and performing your duties to keep Samoa safe.

“We are all public servants of Samoa with different duties but the law direct us, the law guides us all in the performance of all our duties

'No one is above the law."

A Police badge emblazoned with five stars was then ceremonially presented to the Minister.