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Commish says arming cops a go in spite of protests

Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga supports 100% the move by the Commissioner of Public Safety to arm police officers, says Edwin Kamaoha, who spoke on behalf of the Governor’s office during a hearing before the House of Representatives on the issue of arming police officers. Kamaoha is the Assistant to the Governor’s Legal Counsel.

 

During the hearing, which occurred yesterday before the House Public Safety Committee, Kamaoha said this is an “uncomfortable move” however he noted that there will be  requirements. 

 

“It’s something that is uncomfortable to the governor, it’s uncomfortable to the people of American Samoa, a lot of the police officers are also uncomfortable with firearms. You, as members of the House should also be uncomfortable, but at the same time we are also uncomfortable with the crimes,” he stated.

 

“The governor has supported this 100%, however, he wants us to move forward with caution and has put in place requirements for DPS. Certain things need to be in place before moving forward and this is in protection of not only the police officers, but the people of American Samoa,” he said.

 

Acting Attorney General MItzie Jessop informed the lawmakers the AG’s office take direction from the governor’s office, who is in support of arming the police officers, and they are in support of the training program. She told lawmakers to pay attention to the presentation by DPS on how they will move forward with the arming of officers, so their concerns will be at ease. (Samoa News reported last month on DPS’ presentation before the Senate).

 

Vice Speaker I’aulualo Talia Fa’afetai asked the Deputy AG for her personal opinion on this matter. Jessop stated that her father, Fonoti Douglas Jessop is a former police officer but at the same time she also speaks for the victim as a prosecutor. She further stated that currently she’s the prosecutor in the case where a police officer was gunned down in front of the temporary high court back in July 2010.

 

“So at this point, it is time for us to train our officers to be able to handle firearms,” said Jessop.

 

During the presentation by Commander Tauese Va’a Sunia, it was pointed out that there’s been a massive increase in the Tualauta population over the years and yet there are not enough police officers.

 

Rep Larry Sanitoa asked if the increased population is a real justification for arming police officers. He pointed out that if — with the increased population — the problem is not enough officers, then there is a need to hire more police officers.

 

“There are so many residents and constituents who are expressing serious concerns with arming the police officers.” Sanitoa said, and pointed out that in New Zealand, police have their firearms locked away in the trunk of police vehicles. He said this is one method DPS could look at. He also pointed out the issue of government liability.

 

Deputy AG Jessop responded that ASG’s huge concern is liability as they will be responsible for police officers who don’t handle themselves correctly, and she’s pleased with the Commissioner’s Officer and the Governor’s office who are working together to formulate the training program. She said there will be policies and procedures put in place that will most likely cut down the number of liabilities to zero.

 

She further noted that having the officers undergo this training is a positive move to determine which officers are fit to be armed, as there are officers that she “would not trust with a sling shot.”

 

Rep Maugaoali’i Sipa Leapai Anoa’i then spoke, addressing the DPS Commissioner. He advised him not to rush into arming the police officers. (Samoa News should point out that a majority of the Senators appealed to the Commissioner during their hearing on the matter, to not rush into the arming of officers.)

 

Mauagoali’i pointed out he was hoping DPS would have a plan for a special forces group to come in place when there are certain incidents where firearms are involved. He further stated that incidents involving firearms don’t happen often.

 

Rep Timusa Tini Lam Yuen said the training should start as soon as possible. Timusa said while the taser guns are less lethal, their impact is very severe and some people know that the impact of the taser is almost the same as that of a handgun. He further asked DPS if they intend on putting in place a SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) team.

 

Commander Tauese Va’a Sunia stated that a SWAT team was considered prior to having in place training to arm officers, however SWAT teams do not respond to every incident.

 

“You have to understand that once the SWAT team is called in, deadly force is on the way. It is the last resort and the last alternative of the DPS. Once we call an elite unit, they’re going to breach the door, they will go in with the intention to solve the problem and that’s to put a stop to the threat. These options were all considered,” said Tauese.

 

The Vice Speaker stated that he’s not fully convinced of “this drastic move to arm the police officers.” He added, “And please don’t take any guns to Manu’a.”

 

Haleck told the hearing there will be extensive training, including psychological assessment, officer interviews, less lethal training, pepper spray training, wooden police baton training, and taser training. He further stated they have 20 guns in storage, and five will be assigned to each of the four police stations.

 

Following the hearing, Samoa News asked the Commissioner if DPS will back down from this move, given the comments by Senators, Representatives and the public which are generally disapproving. Haleck said DPW will proceed with arming the officers, adding that it will begin with training.