65 new police recruits take oath, 86 more officers needed

By Talaia Mika

APIA, SAMOA – 02 DECEMBER 2022: After seventeen weeks of training and assessment, sixty-five new police officers have graduated and certified to serve Samoa through the police service.

The new graduates were congratulated by the Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mataafa in a ceremony complete with police pageantry and witnessed by members of the diplomatic core, families and friends of the graduates.

The recruitment of new constables follows Samoa Police, Prisons and Correction Services’ public appeal to employ a total of one thousand and twenty-seven officers by 2024.

The purpose is to have enough officers serving and supervising the law during the Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting that Samoa will host in 2024. It will be the biggest international meeting Samoa will host.

At the moment, there are nine hundred and twenty one officers including the sixty-five new constables who graduated last Friday.

Police Commissioner, Auapaau Logoitino Filipo said the Ministry has advertised for more interested applicants in order to meet the target number of officers needed.

The Outstanding Academic Achievement award went to Constable Fetausiai Faavae photographed with family and friends after graduation.

For the latest graduates, Auapaau said 289 applied but only seventy met the criteria and five pulled out. Twenty eight were females and forty two males.

Constable Fetausiai Faavae was awarded the “Outstanding Academic Achievement” that he dedicated to his late grandmother who passed away while he was in training to become a police officer.

“She was always there, she was my strength after a long day at training and I miss her here at this very moment as I owe this award to her,” he said.

Faavae is twenty-five years old from Nofoalii and Samauga and had served at the Tanumalala prison for five years.

Prime Minster Fiame Naomi Mataafa encouraged the new officers to do their utmost to serve and to deliver the core values of the Ministry which is “I care”.

“You are to be diligent and graceful in how you carry yourself in your line of duty as your actions should reflect the oath you are about to take in the presence of all who have gathered here today,” she added.

Four awardees:

1. Student Choice – Constable Kuresa Faaetete
2. Most Disciplined – Constable Elina Tapu
3. Best All Rounder – Constable Aviata Foleni
4. Outstanding Academic Achievement – Constable Fetausiai Faavae