DPS Commissioner determined to boost morale of police officers
In an effort to boost the morale of police officers, Special Assistant to DPS Commissioner Fuega Moliga has been tasked to work with personnel issues faced by the department, as officers are not getting appropriate salaries and promotions they “rightfully deserve” said Commissioner of Public Safety, William Bill Haleck.
Haleck said he’s thankful the current Administration is willing to assist DPS in ways to improve its operations and services and “upping the morale is one issue. Low morale can affect an officer’s work production, as is currently happening in DPS.”
Asked about Fuega’s responsibilities in the Manu’a Marine Patrol, the Commissioner said Fuega has requested that he remain on Tutuila, as he does not want to go to Manu’a.
“I talked to Fuega this morning (Monday) and his intention is to stay on island. In the beginning, the Lt Governor wanted him to go to Manu’a, but he point blank told me he wants to stay here,” said Haleck.
Lt Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga, who also the acting governor, told Samoa News in an earlier interview that Fuega will be working with the Marine Patrol Division in Manu’a because in June there will be a new boat for Manu’a and the Administration wants to set up a Marine Patrol there. He added that was the reason Fuega was hired to rejoin the DPS force. Lemanu said Fuega has vast knowledge in the area of Marine Patrol, and he was there when this division of DPS was first established.
Haleck told Samoa News on Monday that he has met with Fuega, who made suggestions on where his expertise can be helpful. He said Fuega is keen on helping with personnel matters.
“This is among the issues that need immediate attention, however, I have so many issues on my plate, which is why I have tasked Fuega to make sure that our hard working police officers get the increments they’ve earned — not only for the police officers but also with fire fighters, correction officers and OMV.
“He’ll be working with our finances as well as the Commanders to make sure that promotions are done properly and fairly under the merit system. It’s long overdue for the officers who deserve and have earned this, because when I came in, the morale of DPS was very low and I’ve been trying to take away that mindset,” said Haleck.
From now on we will advertise the Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain and Commander positions for DPS and the officers will apply… and those who have earned it, will get it” he told Samoa News, indicating that “in the past it was different.”
Haleck said Fuega is more than willing to work in this area because the officers need the assurance that their hard work will pay off, and Fuega can do the job, said the Commissioner. He further stated there is a definite need for change in the mindset of the officers. “Low morale and low feelings of self worth are deadly combinations.”
He noted that often officers will say that if they aren’t paid right, they will not give one hundred percent — and this type of attitude leads to problems.
“This is truly a problem that has to be dealt with before it’s too late and this is the first step we have implemented today.”
The Commissioner said it’s our community that is affected by decisions made by officers who have low morale, as the only thing they are getting are disgruntled, overworked, and underpaid police officers. “For so long the officers have been asked to make the ultimate sacrifice, putting their lives on the line for pennies… serving a community that needs them, yet sometimes the way we are portrayed in the public eye is not good and we need to change that way of thinking.
“You can’t motivate morale.” Haleck said. “Law Enforcement is a tough career but can be rewarding, the work load and high standards that Police Officers are required to have is different from any other profession.”
Police accountability is necessary in order to make sure all officers are performing to the standards of their coworkers and to the standards the agency has created for their officers and all the more reason for me as Commissioner to make sure that officers who continue to do their job will not be brought down, morale-wise by those officers who are slacking off.
“That’s why we need this more than ever,” said the Commissioner.
DPS IS LOOKING TO HIRE NEW OFFICERS
In the meantime, the Commissioner stated, DPS is now seeking 20 men and women who are willing to make the utmost sacrifice of serving as police officers. (See more details in Samoa News advertisements)