Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has taken over the Police and Prisons portfolio amidst continuing controversy that has some worried about the stability and confidence in the country’s law enforcement agency.
Tuilaepa, who had been out of the country when the Police Commissioner Fuiavailili Egon Keil was cleared of criminal charges, then rearrested and charged with more than 250 counts, has now replaced the police minister Sala Fata Pinati.
Before Fuiavailili was appointed Commissioner last year, the Ministry was under a major investigation which resulted in the dismissal of the former Commissioner Lilomaiava Fou Taioalo.
The Ministry however remains divided with supporters of Fuiavailili and the reforms he was reportedly making against an existing culture under senior officers.
A letter of no confidence against the Police Commissioner signed by forty senior and ranked officers was submitted to the Prime Minister four weeks ago.
Another letter in support of Fuiavailili signed by younger officers also surfaced recently.
A Cabinet press statement out Wednesday said Salā Fata Pinati is now in charge of the Audit Office and Samoa Bureau of Statistics – in addition to being responsible for the Samoa Tourism Authority.
The statement also said that returning the Police portfolio to the Prime Minister, “reaffirms the importance placed on law and order and in keeping Samoa a peaceful nation.”
