Samoa’s top female cop recognised internationally

By Talaia Mika

APIA, SAMOA – 19 OCTOBER 2022: Deputy Police Commissioner, Papalii Monalisa Tiai-Keti has been awarded and recognised internationally by the Australasian Council of Women and Policing (ACWAP) for her leadership achievements in strengthening gender equity within the sector.

According to the Police Commissioner, Auapaau Logoitino Filipo, the ACWAP council selects police leaders across the region with outstanding leadership performance to be awarded annually and Papalii made the cut this year.

Papalii was featured on the front cover of the 52nd Issue of the ACWAP Journal with the Australian Foreign Affairs Minister, Senator Hon. Penny Wong during her visit to Samoa in June this year.

The encounter highlighted discussions on the ongoing work which Samoa Police and Prisons Corrections Services has done and continues to strengthen gender equity within the workforce as well as its efforts in maintaining peace and stability during last year’s general election.

The journal’s 52nd issue also highlights Samoa’s celebration of its 60th Independence where DC Papali’i Monalisa Tiai- Keti led the organisation in the celebrations making her the first female executive officer to carry out this honour.

The Samoa Police & Prisons Service also proudly shared another ground breaking moment for the sector especially the women in policing when a Guard of Honour was led for the first time by a female by Field Marshall, Assistant Commissioner (AC) Papalii Efo Moalele.

The Journal for Women and Policing edition also features Inspector Fa’amatala Va’alele who shares her unique journey about finding her voice and learning to lead with courage and empathy.

She is the latest Seconded Pacific Officer to the Pacific Island Chiefs of Police Secretariat (PICP) and was recently represented PICP at the Global Road Safety Partnership Conference held in Christchurch, New Zealand.

In addition, the ACWAP has released its inaugural ACWAP Pacific Annual 2021-2022 document or concept which is SPPCS’s brainchild, encompassing “all the Pacific articles across the year.”

This was launched at the “recent Islands Chiefs of Police Conference with Samoa featuring prominently.”