Public Safety Commissioner Save Liuato Tuitele went into detail on the reason why 13 police officers have left the force.
The reason why Save was called before the House Public Safety Committee was to explain why American Samoan drivers license are not accepted official proof of identification in the United States.
The question he fielded about police officers leaving was from Vice Speaker Fetu Fetui Jr. a former police officer.
Commissioner Save said that he was happy that of all those who have tendered their resignation letters, none has cited salaries or not being paid their overtime as the reason for leaving the police force.
He said two of the police officers who’ve resigned are leaving because their wives are in the military and are being stationed off island.
According to Save, one cop left because he found a better paying job at the American Samoa Power Authority however when he got there the job had been given to someone else.
So the cop moved to Alaska with his wife.
A recent resignation was an officer whose wife is leaving the island to take care of her father in the mainland.
Save told the hearing one police officer was forced to resign based on his recommendation.
The cop was given the option of resigning or be terminated due to an incident, arising from his relationship with his wife that has impacted his duties
The commissioner said from his own observations, many of the officers who have left the force are searching for a better future.
Save conceded that while the officers did not mention it, he believes their salaries played a major factor in their decision.
They feel their salaries are not adequate to take care of their families, so many have opted to leave for greener pastures off island.
