Police Recruits

Samoa prime minister and minister of police, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, had expressed concerns earlier this year about the possibility police would be enticed to New Zealand.

He had made his comments during the official visit to his country by New Zealand's Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, where it was mentioned New Zealand Police were looking to recruit from the Pacific, including Samoa.

Tuila'epa at the time said if large number of Samoan police were to move away the country would face a major problem.

Ten of the recruits are women making up 42% of the graduates, a figure the Commissioner of, Police Egon Keil says he is extremely proud of.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi says while he is glad for the addition to the police service, the new officers must know the authority of a police officer and the heavy responsibility that goes with it.

"Don’t ever abuse the power handed to you as a police officer,” he said.

“Don’t be like some of the old officers who corrupt this power."