At the graduation ceremony of the 2025 Police Academy in September of last year, Commissioner of Public Safety Taaga Saite Moliga announced promotions in police ranks. However, officers who were promoted have not received salary increases for their new positions
A hearing by the Senate Public Safety Committee on Wednesday explored the reasons for the delay.
Witnesses included Commissioner Taaga, Budget Director Tauaisafune Niualama Taifane, and Director of Human Resources Tiaoalii Dr. Asenati Saau-Umi.
The Commissioner reported that a total of 116 police officers will receive salary increases. The funding to cover the increases is from salaries of resigned officers and unfilled vacancies, that were included in the approved Fiscal Year 2026 budget for DPS. The total funding is $358,237.
A report that the commissioner provided at the hearing showed that DPS has set caps for the increases for Fiscal Year 2026 so that the department would stay within budget. However, the intention is to seek an additional $297,016 to fully implement the salary increases. The cap was set at $2,000 for Police Officer 1, Police Officer II, and corporal. A cap of $3,000 was set for Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Major and Commander.
The Police Salary Classification Matrix presented at the hearing revises starting salaries by rank ranging from $19,000 for a Police Officer 1 to $45,000 for a Commander.
The Commissioner said this was the opportunity to provide equity and fairness in the salary scale for DPS.
He said it prevents what has occurred in the past, where a new commissioner would only increase the salaries of favored officers while others are overlooked.
Taaga also informed senators that, except for a few staffers, all DPS personnel have received their annual pay increments.
The full list of promoted officers by rank and their salary increases was distributed at the hearing.
Director of Human Resources Dr. Saau-Umi said her department received the proposal for the DPS salary increases on December 23. Because of the relocation of her department, there has been a delay in implementing the required paperwork, but she said the increases should be reflected in paychecks for the first pay period of February.
Senate President Tuaolo manaia Fruean said during the Christmas holiday performances, the Governor told him his instructions to the commissioner was to find a funding source to pay for the salary increases. Tuaolo pressed for answers from the Commissioner on how the increases would be funded. Taaga repeated that the savings from the salaries of reigned personnel and unfilled vacancies was the funding source.
Senator Muagututia Tauoa insisted that the salaries of police officers should be commensurate with their challenging work providing public safety 24 /7. He told the commissioner and the Budget Director that they should make sure the promised salary increases are paid. Asked about overtime pay for DPS, the Budget Director and the commissioner assured that all overtime for police have been paid
Chairman of the Public Safety Committee Senator Olo Uluao Letuli said salaries should be based on performance and there was a need to return to the merit system. He asked about personnel who have worked for 40 years and was told that they are two commanders who have been on the force for that long.
Olo suggested that perhaps these personnel should retire and allow lieutenants and captains room to move up.
According to the Commissioner, the new salary classification for DPS, is based on the merit system and would allow equal footing for all applicants to apply for vacant positions.
