Police hold first Community Day at Lalomanu village

APIA, SAMOA – 21 DECEMBER 2022: Lalomanu beach was buzzing with activity over the weekend with the sound of laughter and families enjoying a fun day out on the beach with members of the Samoa Police, Prisons and Correction Services (SPPCS)

The SPPCS held the first-ever Community Day with the Lalomanu community to conclude 2 weeks of visits and inspections conducted at each outpost both in Upolu and Savai’i.

The event opened with a prayer service and blessings by Lalomanu’s EFKS church minister, Rev. Va’ai Tua.

Dozens of children, parents and guardians made their way over to the grounds to have some fun.

With funding support from the Australia Federal Police (AFP) led Samoa Australia Police Partnership (SAPP), the Lalomanu Police outpost, organized jumping castles, sausage sizzles and fun boat rides on the police patrol boat

Members of SPPCS including the Executive Management team, and AFP Mission Commander joined in for a game of beach volleyball and the traditional game of “lape” followed by swimming.

Police keeping an eye on safety as residents enjoy the beach and water.

At the start of his tenure, Police Commissioner Auapa’au Logoitino Filipo said expanding the community events is a high priority for the SPPCS and presents an opportunity for police to build positive relationships with rural communities which is essential to effective policing and ensuring public safety.

“This is a new initiative and the police are planning to engage more with the community next year to strengthen our working relationship and partnership with village councils and also to identify any issues that we can provide assistance and support for, it was a great day for the police engaging with the youth of Lalomanu,” said the Commissioner.

AFP Mission Commander, Daniel Evans said the SAPP is committed to supporting the SPPCS with the expansion of the Community Day initiatives to help build trust and connection with communities around Samoa.

“Community Days like today are a highlight for any police officer. Positive engagement between police and kids in particular can positively shape how the community think about police and hopefully inspire some to look at policing as a career,” said Daniel Evans.

“The Samoa Australia Police Partnership is thrilled to support initiates which enhance engagement with community, builds trust and enhances connection. The Commissioner is very motivated to engage with the community and we will be there to support him maintain a safe Samoa.”

Some of the Lalomanu village families at the Community Day with the Samoa Police.

Lalomanu Primary School Principal- Maulalo Ioane stated how appreciative she is to the Ministry and its counterparts for this special event. This has given their community something to look forward to. She also added that this could be a great ongoing event for the community.

The Community Day is part of Samoa, Police, Prisons and Correction Services’ bi-annual initiative to strengthen its engagement with local communities and build a strong working environment with its outposts. All efforts to enhance and enforce our mission of “Working together for a safe and secure Samoa”

Samoa Police, Prisons and Correction Services acknowledges Samoa Australia Police Partnership Australia Federal Police for making this possible.