$33M Samoa Police Training Academy Opens

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 20 August 2024 – The first ever academy to nurture Samoan police for service to the people of Samoa was officially opened by Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa yesterday.

The $33 million tala Police Academy is located at where the old Tafaigata Prison was and was funded and built by the Chinese Government.

The initiative for the project was first discussed in 2015 and followed by a feasibility study and given the greenlight in November 2017.

The implementation agreement was signed between the Samoa and the Chinese Government in September 2018 and the construction commenced in April 2020.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the project was put on hold for two years.

On 20 October 2022, the Shaanxi Construction Ltd finally commenced work and completed it in June 2024.

Prime Minster Fiame acknowledged and thanked the Government of the Peoples Republic of China for their continuous support for Samoa’s development.

Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa with the key to the academy posing with the (l-r) Minister of Police, Prisons & Corrections Faualo Harry Schuster, Chinese Ambassador Fei Mingxing, Parliament Speaker Papali’i Li’o Ta’eu Masipa’u, Opposition Leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, Deputy Prime Minister, Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio & Minister for Justice & Courts Administration, Matamua Vasati Pulufana.

Samoa and China’s long-standing friendship
China’s Ambassador to Samoa, HE Fei Mingxing said the Samoa Police Academy Project builds a new landmark for the long -standing friendship between China and Samoa.

“Our people to people relations dates back to about 150 years ago and since our diplomatic ties in 1975, we have jointly implemented more than 20 infrastructure projects in Samoa,” said HE Fei.

He pointed to the many areas China has assisted Samoa through training such as in agriculture and medical field and they intend to elevate the relationship to a new level in marking the 50^th anniversary of Samoa and China diplomatic ties in 2025.

“This project marks a significant milestone for China-Samoa bilateral cooperation,” he said.

Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa with Minister of Police, Faualo Harry Schuster with the Samoa Police Executive.

State of the art academy
The state of the art academy comprise of lecture rooms, dining hall, equipment rooms, an operational training venue, a roofed sports field, an accommodation building and stadium as well as auxiliary facilities such as a running track and a defensive driving training court.

Both Prime Minister Fiame and HE Fei agree that the academy will be a valuable asset for the Samoan police to strengthen its capacity and better serve the Samoan people.

“I hope to see more young cadets achieving success with opportunities provided by the academy,” said HE Fei.

Some of the police officers from China who attended the handover ceremony.

Forensic Laboratory
The next phase for the Samoa Police Academy project according to HE Fei is the handover and installation of the fingerprint laboratory soon.

“The lab equipment along with the academy will make a big difference in building a stronger police force of Samoan people,” he said.

He encourages the academy to take full advantage of its close cooperation with its Chinese counterpart, in particular the China-Pacific Island Countries Police Training Center based in China’s Fujian province.

He said China, Samoa and all other countries are confronted with multiple risks and challenges like never before hence Chinese President Xi Jinping initiative for a Global Development Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative,

“As a global community, mankind cannot be separated, and each country must prioritize its essential needs for development, security and diversity among communities, regardless of national or international changes,” he said.

The track and field is part of the academy for police training.