A church service at the Talalelei O le Faaolataga CCCAS Church opened the 2025 Police week yesterday.
Acting Governor Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr., House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale, Senator Olo Uluao Letuli, and other directors, were present at the service which was led by Rev. Geoffery Tagaloa,
Acting Governor Pulu expressed his gratitude to police men and women for their service, acknowledging the challenging duties of police officers in safeguarding and protecting the territory 24/7. He said their duties put them in dangerous and life threatening situations. Pulu recalled when a police officer was killed in the line of duty, and he had to perform the ceremony of ifoga shortly after being bestowed the Pulu title to seek forgiveness from the family of the slain officer.
Pulu also shared that when he was a faipule, he introduced legislation whereby $10 was added to every traffic fine, and this was earmarked for the Department of Public Safety. He urged that the Fono look at raising this fee to help DPS. 
The Acting Governor revealed that Governor Pula will be proposing legislation to raise the salaries of police officers. Noting it was Mother’s Day, he said he will advise that the women officers get their salary increases first and the men can get theirs later. He wished all the Mothers a happy Mother’s Day and extended best wishes for a successful Police Week to Commissioner Taaga Saite Moliga and staff.
Rev. Elder Tautalatasi Fanolua in his sermon spoke about being faithful, committed and dedicated to one’s calling. He said as the department’s name connotes, police men and women have the duty of protecting the public‘s safety 24 hours a day. This, at a time when the territory is beset with many changes, some good and some bad. He said crimes such as break-ins, assault, domestic abuse, and sexual abuse of children have increased. And drugs have taken a foothold in families, villages, and workplaces. The minister said, “I hope drugs haven’t affected churches too.”
He said despite the difficult work that police do and being hated by people, they should always remember the words of Christ, “I will always be with you.” Rev. Elder Tautalatasi urged police to be true to their calling. “Your duty is to enforce the law, but perhaps there are some who are breaking the law and pushing drugs,” he stated.
Commissioner of Public Safety Taaga quoted what he said to the department after he was appointed commissioner: That, in this role, he does not have relatives, siblings or friends. He said the nature of police work is there is no special treatment or biases.
