Two Assistant Commissioners, a Deputy Commissioner and a Legal Advisor for the Ministry of Police were welcomed today in a short and closed ceremony at the Police Headquaters.
Auapaau Logoitino Filipo was appointed as Deputy Commissioner, to work alongside Papalii Monalisa Tiai-Keti who has been Samoa’s lone Deputy since May 2018.
Leaiataualetaua Logoimauga Samuelu Afamasaga and Muliagatele Lorraine Lees were appointed to work side by side as new Assistant Commissioners.
The Samoa Police Service also welcomed Lydia Yahnke as Legal Advisor.
Police Commissioner Su’a Fuiavailiili Egon Keil said the appointments have come at the right time, given the added responsibilities recenty transferred to the Ministry.
“To have two Deputy Commissioners and two Assistants will lightened that burden; I am really so relieved”.
Deputy Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino, 49 and a father of six says the appointment is a blessing from God for him, and he thanked his church family at Vaimoso for all the prayers and support.
He thanked the Government for believing in him to become a Deputy Commissioner. He said that the Ministry has set goals and objectives in line with its Strategic Plan, and is glad all positions have now been filled to support the Police Commissioner.
“Ou te faafetai i le Atua ua maua le avanoa e siitia ai le tulaga e auauna ai i le Matagaluega o Leoleo aemaise le malo, faafetai i le Malo i le faatuatuaina o a’u ou te tauaveina lenei tofi, e le umi na’o le tolu tausaga. O lea ua se’e le sa o le matagaluega, ua atoa foi tulaga tofi e lagolagosua atu ai i le Alii Komesina, e faataua nisi o manulauti a le Matagaluega aemise le vaai mamao a le malo i le faatinoga o galuega faaleoleo”
Muliagatele Lorraine Lees is the second female to be appointed to a posts at the top level of Samoa’s police force. The Assistant Commissioner dedicated her achivements to her parents.
“Without them, I would not be where I am today,” she shared.
Muliagatele enouraged women in the police force and said it was good to focus on driving positive changes.
“If men can do it, we can do too based on your commitment, your loyalty..;
“I know it is a male dominated organisation, there are alot of challenges that comes with the position but we try our best…those challenges will help you learn and become a better person,” said Muliagatele.
Lees has been assigned to international relations, looking out for overseas trainings for Samoa Police.
“We’d like to raise the standard of the Ministry when it comes to training…Ia aua nei toe iai le faitau a le atunuu o ī e dump uma mai iai;
“No, a e savalivali i le Matagaluega i le taimi nei, ua toaele le aoaoina o le Matagaluega and that is something which is our aim and goal.”
Leiataualetaua Logoimauga Samuelu Afamasaga, 39, is a father of four who started as a Police Constable in 1999. He was promoted over the years and has also held overseas posts working for the United Nations Peacekeeping missions and has worked as a UN Security in New York for 2 years.
Leiataualetaua has just completed a Bachelor of Arts in Policing and Management from USP Fiji.
He is assigned to the front line service including general policing and all the out-posts or district police stations.
Leiataua says this appointment gives him an opportunity to share his knowledge, and his focus would be to lift the service and reputation of police to meet the needs of the community, and avoid complaints.
Afamasaga thanked all the members of the police force and the survillance staff for their work that has contributed to his achievements.
He thanked his family especially his wife and children, and his Manumalo Baptist Church.
Leiataualetaua Logoimauga Samuelu Afamasaga is a matai from Lepuia’i Manono, Fagaloa, as well as Nofoalii, Fasitootai and Solosolo.
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