“The most dangerous person on the street is the cop who doesn’t know his job.” So said Senator Galea’i M. Tu’ufuli recently, in an exclusive interview with Samoa News.

Galea’i, who has served in numerous government positions for the better part of fifty years, has always, at heart, been a man who believes in law and order. Beginning his career as a police officer in Honolulu, he returned home to American Samoa in the 1960s, where he was appointed as chief of police and later as Commissioner of Public Safety.

He has served the territory over the years in many capacities. He was a special assistant to Governor A.P. Lutali during the Lutali administration, served for eight years as District Governor for Manu’a, and currently serves as a Senator in the Fono from Manu'a District 1 — where he chairs the Government Operations Committee.

During his tenure as Commissioner of Public Safety, Galeai worked to improve the department by creating alliances with several intelligence and information networks.

Working with his Deputy Commissioner at the time, Mike Sala, they established the South Pacific Islands Criminal Intelligence Network (SPICIN) and U.S. Interpol Pacific Sub-Bureau (INTERPOL). With MOUs they created links to FBI/NCIC (the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Crime Information Center);  the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS) and the El Paso Intelligence Center of the Drug Enforcement Agency data bases.

According to Sala, membership and alliances with these sophisticated programs were evidence of the credibility and trust these international organizations placed in our public safety leadership and management. The significant improvements in the department under Galea’i’s leadership even garnered national recognition in the “Law and Order” police magazine.

Galea’i has a Masters degree in Public Administration and a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice, both earned from California’s Golden Gate University. He is also a graduate of the FBI Law Enforcement Executive School at Quantico, Virginia.

All his life, he has believed that “cops should be educated people” and he has demonstrated that belief by his actions. His years of public service have given him the long view, and it was with this in mind that he sat down to share his thoughts on the issues which the territory now faces in terms of public safety.

(The Department of Public Safety, it should be noted, is composed of four Bureaus: the Police Bureau, Fire Bureau, Bureau of Corrections and the Office (or Bureau) of Motor Vehicles.)

He called first on Governor Lolo M. Moliga and anyone in public service — to “put a stop to placing people in positions where they don’t belong.” When asked who, in particular, he was referring to, Galea’i said “the current Commissioner at the Department of Public Safety.”

Samoa News does point out that the current Commissioner at DPS, William Haleck, was a field agent for the Drug Enforcement Agency, although he was not involved with public safety management before now. By all accounts, said Galea’i, the Commissioner was an “excellent field agent” but has no prior experience managing a government department.

“For too long, we have messed around with the safety of our people,” he boldly stated. “The days of making political appointments, or putting people into the Department of Public Safety who lack experience in police work… or in management… should be behind us.”

Galea’i minced no words as he launched into the problems faced by the Territory’s Department of Public Safety. He said, “The success of any organization depends on the quality of leadership — and that leadership must be reflected in someone who has experience from the ground up.”

He noted that good management skills “are a must” and when it comes to the DPS, political appointees will not do it any good. “Anyone who lacks experience in law enforcement will stop the department from moving ahead,” he said, adding “what it really boils down to is this — we must have professionalism in Public Safety. Politics and political favors must be left out of it.”

Galea’i also had stern admonition for everyone at DPS — from the current Commissioner to the officer on the street. He said, “Know your job! Understand the law and the elements of crime. In this way, you will be able to best carry out your duties and responsibilities.”

The senator noted that he has yet to see the Organization Chart for DPS, although the Fono has requested it. However, he also said that DPS has supplied the Fono with their Standard Operating Procedures, which have been reviewed.

“When you organize a police operation, you must keep in mind that it is a multi-agency organization. All divisions should be headed by a sworn officer, who should come under the direct supervision of the Chief of Police. The Traffic Division, Criminal Investigation, Drug Enforcement and Patrol Divisions — all should be under the Chief of Police,” he said.

SHOULD COPS CARRY GUNS?

When asked about the issue of arming the police, Galea’i stated without hesitation — “That should not be the first priority for these police! We have no need to weaponize our officers, no track record of needing more guns on the street. We are a small territory, we do not need to pattern ourselves after a big city such as in the States, with areas of high crime, and heavily armed gangs.”

He said in effect, “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.”

The topic turned to the attitudes which have prevailed among the police of late.

Numerous court cases and situations have been discussed in the media regarding the lack of respect which officers have exhibited in the course of their duties. Jurors are routinely dismissed from jury duty because they have had such negative experiences with cops, who often serve as witnesses in court.

Allegations of police brutality have become common place, and in light of the current situation, Galea’i said he believes it is a bad time to consider giving our police force firearms.

He says that first and foremost, cops must be trained, educated and evaluated. Giving them guns before doing any of that, he said, will lead to disaster.

To Lolo — and all future governors — he says, “Stop politicizing the Department of Public Safety! What we really need is an efficient and effective workforce, and this department is too important to the safety and security of the people to be inefficient.”

To Commissioner Haleck he offered this advice, “Your immediate need is to train and educate your police officers so they can carry out their duties. Only then will you have professionalism in your law enforcement and in police work.”

To the police force, he has this to say, “The badge you wear was given to you by the people. Remember that. It is by their authority that you have that badge, and they expect you to act accordingly.”