The Minister of Police and Prisons has welcomed and applaud an initiative announced by the new Police Commissioner to establish an Independent Police Complaint Commission. 

Faualo Harry Schuster said the initiative can help "restore confidence" in the police services by the public and how the internal complaints will be handled. 

"I applaud the initiative taken by the Police Commissioner to address that issue," Minister Faualo said. "There has always been concerns from the public in relation to this.

"It is great that the Commissioner is addressing this issue where the complaints or investigations on police officers are done by people whom they work with in the police force. 

"There has always been suspicious and doubts with handling of these matters with kid gloves. 

"So the suggestion by the Commissioner is a great way to deal with the complaints within the service and I welcome the initiative."

Minister Faualo then commended the Commissioner for the suggestion, saying this will be considered and deliberated to address the issue as a way to move forward. 

"It's a very important issue so we can have confidence in our Police service when dealing with matters or complaints against police officers. 

"We also have to deal with the perception that our complaint are being dealt with in an appropriate manner. 

"This also restores confidence that the complaints are being dealt with and the people who are being accused are dealt with fairly."

The initiative is one of the top priorities for the new Police Commissioner, Auapa'au Logoitino Filipo, who was appointed by Cabinet last month to head the Samoa Police services.  

"I feel like that needs to be done to avoid any bias decisions," Auapa'au said during an interview with this newspaper following his appointment. 

 "We do have a Professional Standards Unit that deals with these issues within our Ministry, but there are always doubts in the way they conduct their investigations and make recommendations. 

"I honestly believe that when it comes to matters relating to the behaviours of any police officers, an independent body must step in to conduct the investigation and submit a recommendation to the management. 

"I don't think it's appropriate to have police officers carry out investigations into whatever allegations made against other police officers."