Police Inspector charged and suspended for unauthorized investigation

By Lagi Keresoma

Apia, Samoa – 14 November 2023: Police Inspector Li’o Faataumalama Auava has been charged and suspended for conducting an unauthorised investigation.

Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo confirmed the suspension saying Li’o has been charged under the Police Act for conducting an unauthorised investigation regarding the hit and run incident causing the death of Tuuau Malatino at Vaitele on 21 April 2021.

He said there are policies and guidelines every police officer should abide by and Li’o’s investigation into a matter currently investigated by an appointed police team was not authorised.

The charges said the unauthorized investigation was on instructions from Cabinet Minister, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt.

Speaking on the EFKS TV programme Soalepule, Laaulialemalietoa said that he requested the officer to investigate and verify the information he had been given by a witness in March 2023 on the hit and run incident which remains unresolved after two years.

Laauli said that the same witness also alleged that there was an assassination attempt on two cabinet Ministers and he wanted to verify if the allegations were true or not as he was one of the people named in both the hit and run and assassination attempt.

The charges against Li’o are being investigated by the Police Professional Standards Unit (PSU) and will report to the Police Tribunal.

Li’o was the police spokesman who calmly dealt with a fiery stand-off with the HRPP Opposition MPs on parliament grounds who demanded to see the Speaker while parliament was in session on 15 September 2021.

The Inspector’s future depends on the Tribunal’s ruling on the matter.