Last week, police officers began working a normal 8 hour shift with the addition of new police officers from the just concluded Police Academy. For about 2 years, police have been working 12 hour shifts because therre were not enough officers for three 8-hour shifts.
Commissioner of Public Safety Taaga Saite Moliga said the new police officers are now assigned to the central police station and three substations at Leone, Tafuna and Fagaitua. DPS is now able to have officers working 8 hours instead of 12 hours.
He said the new police numbers have boosted the workforce at the central station in Fagatogo by 17, 20 have been added to Tafuna, 10 are assigned to Leone and 9 have been added to the Fagaitua substation.
But while police numbers have been boosted, the Commissioner said the department does not have enough vehicles to fully carry out their law enforcement duties. Commissioner Taage has reintroduce foot patrols at the market place in Fagatogo and also at Utulei Beach. And there’s also police presence at school sports events especially at the Veterans Memorial Stadium. Police are also providing after hour patrols at public parks.
While the department was short staffed, personnel from the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program were assigned to help with police work. With the addition of new police officers, those personnel are now returned to operate the MCSAP full time.
