Samoa Police

Inspector Natia flew out of the country at the weekend.

Deputy Police Commissioner Papalii Monalisa Tiai-Keti said “Inspector Solomona Natia will be bringing back knowledge and skills to share with other members of SPPCS.”

According to Papalii, the training will be held for three months in Quantico, Virginia, and is scheduled to begin in April.

Inspector Natia has served the police force for over 20 years and is also a qualified lawyer.

He was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Samoa earlier this year.

The assistance was confirmed in a meeting hosted by the local police force for the team from NZ Navy, yesterday.

Samoa Police said, “The deliberation included New Zealand Navy's support for SPPCS in terms of training such as; sea riding, patrolling the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), boarding, and capacity building for our officers.”

 The Samoa Police Force confirmed the cases include a boy and 2 women.

In a statement Deputy Police Commissioner Papalii Monalisa Tiai-Keti raised the issue as a matter of urgency given Samoa’s latest case this week being an 11 year old boy.”

“The death of a young boy brings another level of seriousness to action that needs to be taken.”

“The two women aged between 20-35 were both married and also both had children.”

The Police Force has recorded an increase in cases of suicide to 28 in December last year compared to 19 recorded in 2021.

Samoa Police confirmed that the officers are from the various units in in the national police force and their completion of the course will enable them to facilitate and support investigations in the field and certain cases.

“This means that they will be able to understand and discover the root cause of incidents for different situations. They all acknowledged that this course was a valuable opportunity given to them to broaden their capabilities in investigation skills,” Police said.

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi was assualted by at least one elderly women last month at the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration carpark.

Police provided security for Tuilaepa following a written request by the former prime minister.

After two-and-a-half weeks the Ministry of Police and Prisons recalled the officer.

Auapa'au Logoitino Filipo said it recommends instead the security breaches at the international airport be fixed.

RNZ Pacific reports the commissioner said they only investigate criminal matters and in his view it's a civil matter for failing security at the airport.

The Samoan woman managed to pass through immigration and airport security, got on the Fiji airways aircraft, and hid in the lavatory.

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According to the summary of facts the incident occurred in November 2021.

It said the defendant, who had been drinking, touched the woman inappropriately while she was asleep.

About 20 minutes later, the man fetched a machete and walked into the room where his cousin was sleeping and struck him with the weapon on the back of his neck.

A mental health assessment was carried out and confirmed that the accused needs anger management and alcohol rehabilitation therapy.

Natia was admitted to the bar yesterday.

The Samoa Police Force congratulated Natia on his achievement.

Natia was one of two that were admitted yesterday.

Samoa Police said it was a proud moment for DC Lafaitele Herbert Aati, who was present on behalf of Commissioner Auapa'au Logoitino Filipo and the Ministry.”

“Inspector Natia was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court by her Honourable Judge Tafaoimalo Leilani Tuala-Warren, as his family, friends and colleagues watched on ever so proudly of the milestone he had achieved.”

Deputy Police Commissioner Papalii Monalisa Tiai-Keti said products such as rice vodka re-emerged in stores during the recent festive season where demand for alcohol peaked.

“The decision of the Alcohol Control Board was very clear with regards to these products found to contain high levels of methanol.”

“So we are surprised to see these banned products back on the shelves.”

Papalii referred to a decision made in April 2022 announced by Deputy Prime Minister Tuala Tevaga Ponifasio, who is also the Chair of Samoa’s Alcohol Control Board.

The Force said 81 arrests were made between 23 December 2022 to 03 January 2023.

This is compared to the 131 arrests of the same time last year.

In 2021, there were 170 arrests for the same period.

Deputy Police Commissioner Papalii Monalisa Tiai-Keti said “There were 69 arrests made in Upolu and 12 in Savaii. And the majority of the arrests were male.”

The Deputy Commissioner has accredited the huge drop in incidents of crime to the increased service provided by police officers across all divisions of the police force.