The Lolo and Lemanu Administration did not honor a request made by the Commissioner of Public Safety, William Bill Haleck, when he recommended the appointment of Criminal Investigation Division Commander Lavat’ai Taase Sagapolutele as temporary Acting Deputy Commissioner. Instead, the Administration has appointed the Director of the Office of Fraud Prevention and Investigation (OFPI) Save Liuato Tuitele.

Save is now the Acting Deputy Commissioner until a permanent replacement can be made. Earlier this month,  Lt Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga, who is also the acting governor, deployed Save to the Department of Public Safety for 90 days, to conduct assessments for DPS, the Fire Bureau, Marine Patrol and the TCF to determine which areas need improvement___, and also to determine if DPS does need a Deputy Commissioner position.

At the close of business today, outgoing Deputy Commissioner Leiseau Laumoli will be officially retired. Samoa News notes that DPS held a dinner Wednesday evening at the Naumati Conference Room honoring Leiseau’s years of service to the American Samoa Government and its people.

Samoa News understands that Haleck sent a letter nominating Lavata’i on Apr. 23, 2014 however on April 24th,_ Lemanu sent out a General Memorandum appointing Save as Acting Deputy Commissioner.

In the memo, Lemanu initially acknowledges the exemplary work by Leiseau in his years of service, commending him, and extending best wishes for the outgoing Deputy Commissioner.

Lemanu pointed out that pursuant to ASCA section 4.0111 he appointed Save as Acting Deputy Commissioner effective Apr. 26, 2013 and will remain in effect until a permanent appointment shall be made. He urged the Directors and Agency Heads to give Save his full support and cooperation.

ASCA 4.0111 GOVERNOR’S AUTHORITY

(a) The elective office of the Governor of American Samoa is created. The Governor is responsible for the faithful execution of the laws. The Governor has powers and duties and responsibilities as delegated to him from time to time by the President of the United States or his designee, those portions of the U.S. Constitution applicable to American Samoa, the U.S. law applicable to American Samoa, the Revised Constitution of American Samoa, the American Samoa Code and by the direction of his own executive rules.

(b) The Governor has general supervision and control of all departments, offices, divisions, bureaus, agencies or instrumentalities of the executive branch of the government.