Some 57 new Police officers have now joined the Samoa Police Services after they had graduated on Friday.

The new recruits had graduated after 24 weeks of training at the Samoa Police Headquarters.

The Minister for Police, Prisons and Corrections Lefau Harry Schuster had congratulated the graduates in his keynote address.

"You have all earned your place in this organisation. You have endured the pain and struggles of the last 24 weeks," Lefau said.

He said that through the trials and tribulations, the graduates have all managed to reach this stage.

"I thank you all for choosing this career and I hope that the future Police Commissioner is graduating today," he said.

The Deputy Police Commissioner Papalii Monalisa Tiai-Keti stated in her address that of the 57 graduates of 21 females and 36 males. 

"These officers have successfully passed the requirements of the Samoa Police Basic Recruit Course that were carried out in twenty-four weeks which commenced on the 8th of March 2021," Papalii said.

"These fifty-seven officers, thirty-one previously employed in various government Ministries, Non-Governmental Organisations and the Private Sector. 

"The other twenty-six officers were school leavers who have had no prior knowledge or experience in a workforce. The majority of these officers currently reside in Upolu whereas only five officers represent the big Island of Savaii. The eldest member of this class is forty-seven years of age who has proven that age is just a number but with perseverance, commitment and passion we can fulfill and achieve our goals and dreams," she said.

According to her, the graduates include 4 officers of the Maritime Wing, 2 officers of the Police Band Unit, 1 officer from the Dog Management Unit, and 2 Senior ranked officers from the Tanumalala Prison. 

"We are happy to announce that amongst the graduating class we have three degree holders, two from the University of the South Pacific in Fiji and one from the Philippines Baptist Theological Seminary in the Philippines, we also have four officers with diplomas from the National University of Samoa," she said.

She stated that forty have attained certificates in various disciplines from Cert IV in Office Management, Computer Operations and Graphic Designs, Electrical Engineering, Computing, Customer Service, Certificate III in Maritime Training, Cisco level 2 and Foundation Certificates in General, Art, and Commerce of the National University of Samoa as well as a Certificate IV from Australia Pacific Technical Coalition (A.P.T.C).

"Additionally we have two officers who will be completing their Bachelor's Degree by the end of this year from the University of the South Pacific and National University of Samoa and 2 who are currently undertaking studies for a Bachelor's Degree in law at the University of the South Pacific. Furthermore, we have officers who are fluent in Ghana Swahili, Tongan, Italian and Tokelauan languages," she said.

One of the graduates, Constable Etueta Mailata is a mother of two. 

She is the mother of Tufousa Mailata and Laita Mailata and is from Satapuala.

She told the Samoa Observer after the graduation that she is happy to be able to graduate.

"I thank the Lord because he is the reason why all of this has happened. I thank my parents and also the Samoa Police Service staff which has enabled us to graduate," she told the Samoa Observer.

It was always her goal to become a Police officer and she is happy to achieve it.

With her graduation, she said this will be a challenge for her daughter so that whatever she faces she can conquer it all if she has the determination.

Her father, Mailata Vili told the Samoa Observer that he is proud as this is the first Police officer in their family

"I thank the Lord for his kindness and love," he said.

He said that it is true that life is hard even throughout their work, but they praise the Lord as they have successfully graduated.

He also gives thanks to the Lord for taking care of the children and for life, as his daughter is now a Police officer.