Nine new motorcycles were officially launched and added to the Samoa Police, Prisons and Correctional Services (SPPCS) fleet on Tuesday morning.
The motorcyles are to become the flagship of the Samoa Police Traffic Unit as security operations becomes a key focus of Samoa’s preparations for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings.
The motorcycles are among $400,000 WST worth of equipment, including helmets, gloves and first aid kits that were handed over to the SPPCS by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) through the Samoa Australia Police Partnership (SAPP), in preparation for CHOGM 2024.
The official handover marks a key milestone in the build up to the international event, set to be hosted by Samoa in October 2024.
Samoa Police have been focused on stepping up Samoa’s readiness last year, and say they are confident with their preparations to date.
“Samoa Police are well positioned and advanced in their security planning for the event and are working closely with other Ministries to ensure a safe and successful event”, states a press release.
It will be the first CHOGM to be held in a Pacific Small Island Developing State and the Australian Federal Police, through SAPP, continues to play a key role in helping Samoa Police preparations.
Australia provides ongoing support through advice, funding and training in various areas such as personal protection, bomb searches, first aid and drone pilot training.
“With the Commissioner, we have developed a training schedule that includes Close Personal Protection (CPP), First Aid, and Bomb Search training – and a train the trainer module, so that the Samoa Police can train others,” said Australian High Commissioner to Samoa, Her Excellency Emily Luck.
The handover was carried out during a special ceremony in front of the Government Building on Tuesday morning, where Australian High Commissioner, the Minister for Police Hon. Fauolo Harry Schuster, Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo and AFP Detective Superintendent Daniel Evans led the inspection of the new motorbikes and the handover of the equipment.
Minister for Police, Hon. Fauolo Lefau Harry Schuster expressed Samoa’s appreciation of the generous support from Australia.
“”I sincerely appreciate the generous support from the Australian government and the Australian Federal Police through the Samoa Australia Police Partnership (SAPP) that works in conjunction with our Police for kindly donating the nine bikes to be used for our security role as police but importantly for the CHOGM, in escorting our guests upon arrival..” said Fauolo.
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