The implementation agreement for the Police Academy project, which will be funded by the governments of Samoa and China, has already been signed. 

The construction of the project is scheduled to commence at the end of this year, the Police confirmed. 

This week, the Samoa Land Corporation (S.L.C.) revealed that eight acres have been allocated for the Academy at Tafa’igata. 

The first of its kind in Samoa, the Samoa Police Academy is envisioned as a multi-agency training centre, with a view for a regional center of excellence for policing in the Pacific region.

According to the Police, the Academy will include a driving track course, sports field, running tracks, accommodations, classrooms, sports gymnasium, operational training venue and administrative building.

“The Samoa Police Service aims to open up its doors to other government agencies to utilise the academy as a training center specifically for training and capacity development," said a statement issued by the Police.

“Furthermore, to garner the support of the Pacific Island Chiefs of Police to consider this opportunity for the Samoa Police Academy as a regional center of excellence for policing."

The design specification plan for the new Samoa Police Academy Project was revealed in 2018 in Shanghai, China. 

During his weekly media programme, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, highlighted the importance of police work.

“It is important to note that police officers should be the ones to lead by example and just because you are a cop doesn’t necessarily mean you are free to do anything.” 

He praised the Commissioner of Police, Fuiavaili’ili Egon Keil, and his management team for shaping the officers into professionals. 

“To date, numerous police officers have been sacked for wrong doing. There is no favouritism in the police workforce and it’s good to set a precedence within the ministry to remind the police officers to follow the law they swore to uphold.” 

Tuilaepa said this project is long overdue.