Police to the rescue

By Pai Mulitalo Ale 08 January 2016, 12:00AM

The Assistant Police Commissioner and a team of 20 police officers continue to work at Tafa’igata Prison to help the Samoa Correctional Services Authority.

The team of cops is led by Assistant Commissioner, Fauono Talalelei Tapu.

They have been stationed there since the beginning of the holiday period, to strengthen the ability of prison guards to control the prison population.

Police Commissioner, Fuiavailili Egon Keil, said he is not sure when the police officers will be back to their normal duties of law enforcement.

The Commissioner added that while the officers should have left the prison already, he understands that they are needed there. 

That’s why they will stay until there is no more need for them to be there.

Fuiavailili said it is vital for prisoners to stay in prison.

“If they escape, they pose a bigger risk to the community,” he said. “So that is why it’s important to have those officers there. I must say they are doing a great job.”

He said many prisoners were granted weekend parole during the festive season. Most of them returned when they were required to.

Until last year, police and prisons were under one Ministry.

Now the entities are different. 

The Correctional Services Authority is responsible for prisons around the country but a severe shortage in the number of officers has led to call for help from the police.

By Pai Mulitalo Ale 08 January 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>