Police cracking down on bribes

The Deputy Police and Prisons Commissioner, Papali'i Monalisa Tiai-Keti, has urged members of the public to report any Police officer, or a member of the Samoa Police Service (S.P.S.), who accepts a bribe.  

Papali'i said accepting a bribe is an offence and any officer who is accused of being bribed will be investigated by the Police Professional Standards Unit. 

“Any confirmed investigation members of S.P.S. will be subject to S.P.S. disciplinary actions including termination from service,” she said.

She added that the public should report such claims to the Professional Standards Unit [P.S.U.] on telephone 22 222 ext 120, 121.

Papali'i made the point in response to questions about the consistency of Police officers in doing their jobs, especially with road blocks.

According to the Deputy Police Commissioner, road block teams are allocated with an onsite supervisor and a Commissioned Officer working from HQ [headquarters].

“We entrust our police officers that they do the right thing," she said.

“However, if such claims are confirmed the officer(s) will most likely be terminated from the service. This message has been reinforced to all of our personnel whether they are doing road blocks or carrying out any other police duties.”

The Deputy Police and Prisons Commissioner added that the Samoa Police executive has been very strict on reported cases of bribery and they will pursue the full length of the law if officers are caught receiving bribes.

“We have previously charged police officers criminally to reinforce this message. 

“Through our mandate police officers are require to hold themselves accountable to everything that they do just like any government employee.

“We use our P.S.U. cases to determine matters affecting members of the service and from there we carry out internal awareness programs and refresher training for officers to reinforce internal policies.”

Papali'i also asked for members of the public to continue supporting them by reporting any sort of unacceptable behaviour by any member of the Samoa Police Service and this includes claims of officers receiving bribery.