Govt. reform sees top cops quit

By Ilia L. Likou 26 August 2017, 12:00AM

The Police Force has lost a lot of experience with the decision by two Assistant Police Commissioners to resign.

Fauono Talalelei Tapu and Leiataua Fata Aviga Salale tendered their resignations last week. 

Their last day at work was on Friday.

The resignation follows the decision by Parliament that only a single Deputy Commissioner is needed to support the Commissioner, Fuiavailili Egon Keil.

It was not possible to obtain a comment from the former Assistant Commissioners.

But in statement by the Police, it said the Police hosted a lunch to farewell the long serving officers last week. 

Both men had served in the Samoa Police Service for more than 40 years, and have long distinguished careers with the Police Service. 

AC Fata Leiataua's last assignment was Upolu Operations and Fauono Talalelei Tapu as the Savai'i Operations.

AC Fata Salale was appointed to the Police Service in 1976. 

He started his career in the Prosecution section and work his way up through the ranks. 

He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1984 and again to the rank of Inspector in 2002. He was assigned to work in other sections of the Police including the General Policing and Prisons before it was separated from the Police.

In 2005, he was promoted to the rank of Superintendent and was assigned to be the officer in charge of General Policing in the Police Headquarters in Apia. Fata Aviga was eventually appointed as an AC in 2010 and was assigned to the Crimes portfolio which covered Forensics, CID and Prosecution.

During his reappointment in 2013, he became the first police officer to hold the newly created AC position for Savai'i. In total, he served the police for 41 years.

AC Fauono was appointed to the Police Service in 1974 and was also climbing his way through the ladder in the Police ranks during his police career in various sections of the Police including the Prosecution, SRU and CID. 

He was promoted in 1991 to the rank of Sergeant and to the rank of Inspector in 2004. In 2009, he was promoted to the rank of Superintendent and was assigned to be the officer in charge of the Traffic section.

 In 2006, he was deployed to East Timor as the Police Contingent Commander to serve under UN mission for a period of 12 months. His first appointment as an Assistant Commissioner came in 2013 as the AC for the Operation portfolio. He was reappointed to the same portfolio in 2016. He served in the Police for 43 years.

“The Commissioner of Police wishes to congratulate and acknowledge the two Assistant Commissioners for the services they have provided to the people of Samoa and the commitment they have shown as public servants throughout the long years they have served in the Ministry. Our Ministry wishes them all the best in their future endeavors.”

By Ilia L. Likou 26 August 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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