A proposal for a four-legged assistance scheme to detect hard drugs is amongst the support sought by local police from the New Zealand Police Commissioner, Sir Richard Chambers, on his visit to Samoa. 

Sir Chambers is in Samoa for his first visit as the NZ Police Commissioner, but has previously visited the island four times before.  

He was welcomed in an ava ceremony with his police team by the Samoa Police force at the Police Academy in Tafaigata and met with other high-level officials during his three-day trip. 

Commissioner Chambers hopes to strengthen the relationship and achieve a better understanding of how New Zealand police can support Samoa. 

Samoa and New Zealand Police had for many years had a strong partnership and part of the discussions while on the island is how to expand on that. 

“We're open to all sorts of new opportunities that make Samoa a stronger, safer country, just like we want to ensure New Zealand is also stronger and safer,” he said when asked about the possibility of NZ Police establishing a base office in Samoa in partnership with the local authority. 

“So we're very open to discussions about what that might look like going forward.” 

Samoa Police Commissioner, Auapaau Logoitino Filipo spoke about areas that local enforcement officials needed support from New Zealand and were part of its bilateral discussions. 

Auapaau said they are requesting NZ for two K9 dogs; a sniffer dog and a tracking dog to support the operation in the fight against drugs.

He added that in light of notorious prisoner Lautiti Tualima's escape from the Tanumalala Prison, a tracking police dog is critical in such operations and related work. 

Meanwhile, Commissioner Chambers said organised crime, particularly narcotics, is a pervasive problem affecting all countries, including Samoa and New Zealand.

Taking the leading role at Interpol in France's operation focused on organised crime, he pointed out that narcotics are everywhere, and he wanted to better understand what that looks like in Samoa. 

“It's not just a police issue, it's very much also customs, it's communities,” he continued. 

“We all have to own this, because the sad reality is that the impact of addiction, corruption and money, which is the motivation, presents us with challenges that are hard to overcome. 

“So we work together. And I know that there has been some good work already done between our two countries to address that with PTCCC. 

“But given the growing threat, particularly with methamphetamine, and I've spoken to the Commissioner about that, I want to understand what it is that I can do to help.” 

Commissioner Chambers also had time to meet with the NZ High Commission, Minister of Police and a courtesy visit with the Head of State, Tuimalealiifano Sualauvi Vaaletoa II. 

The NZ Police Commissioner acknowledged the work of the Samoa Police during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), a success that Auapaau said was a holistic effort from police in all of the Pacific, including New Zealand.