The Ministry of Police Prisons and Corrections has received $680,000 tala worth of new equipment and logistical support from the Australian Government in a major boost to its forensic unit. 

The handing over of the new equipment under the forensic project will enhance the Ministry's current systems under the Samoa Australia Police Partnership Programme (S.A.P.P.).

The Deputy Commissioner, Papalii Monalisa Tiai-Keti expressed her gratitude to the Australian government for their new kits and supplies 

"We are very fortunate to have the Samoa Australia Police Partnership working with us ensuring that we continue to enhance the work that we do so that we can provide better service to the people of Samoa," said Papalii.

"Thank you again Samoa Australia Police Partnership Programme and thank you again Australia for your ongoing support to the Samoa Police and also to the Government of Samoa."

The police force have been working together under the auspices of the S.A.P.P. and have been discussing the improvement and equipment within the forensic department and therefore sought support from the Australian Federal Police.

These discussions touched on a review of their forensic policies and procedures, the undertaking of fingerprint training and the re-assigning of their fingerprint officers who were relocated back to forensics. A lot of these changes have been done to make sure that the forensic area is able to support the frontliners and supporting investigative work.

Australian Federal Police's Gary Turnbull, who is the S.A.P.P. Advisor based here in Apia, spoke on behalf of the Australian Government and the A.F.P. and congratulated the Samoan Police on the boost to their facilities.

"The Samoa Police Partnership is a highly valued bilateral partnership between the Australian Federal Police and Samoa Police Prison Correction Services our agencies have been working side by side for a number of years," Mr. Turnbull.

"Criminal activity has changed significantly since 2011 with cybercrime emerging and transnational crime impacting on us globally.

"Forensics has never been more critical than it is now and at the forefront of every investigation and police response. Our work together goes beyond the gifting of equipment, cars and laboratories.

"It's the personal engagement and connections between the members of both forces that is so important other than this field."

Over the past few months, the boost to the Police forensic department has made great strides with the progress of the Samoa Police digital forensics capability, thanks to the partnership with the A.F.P. that has made policing in Samoa a gamechanger in the region.