Commissioner of Public Safety William Haleck has issued a stern warning to police officers who are failing to fingerprint and photograph all suspects who are taken into custody by the Department of Public Safety.

In a memorandum issued last week to all DPS sworn police officers that was leaked to Samoa News, Haleck said, “recently, it was brought to my attention that our officers are not finger printing nor taking photos of anyone arrested or taken into custody for violation of our American Samoa laws.

“I don’t understand the reasons why these arrest procedures were stopped and not adhered to in the first place, but it is a practice that must be continued by our department — to properly complete and document each and every arrest we make for future reference and other inquiries.”

Haleck said this practice is adhered to by every other law enforcement agency in the United States and our department MUST do the same for this reason.

The Commissioner ordered that, effective immediately (June 17, 2014) anyone apprehended and arrested by the police officers for any violation of the law whether it be a misdemeanor or a felony must be “FINGERPRINTED AND PHOTOGRAPHED” following their arrest.

The Commissioner laid out the arrest procedures for police officers from this point forward. “Four items of documentation are necessary and required following an arrest: Offense Report-with case number; booking personal history information; fingerprint cards required and photographs required.

Haleck pointed out to the Watch Commanders/Supervisors, that they are required to make sure that the four required items of documentation are met and abided by every arresting officer following an arrest.

He said to accomplish and carry out this order successfully and immediately, he will arrange to have one of the fingerprint stations delivered to the Tafuna Correctional Facility for this purpose until they are able to obtain additional fingerprint and photograph supplies for each of the substations.

“The TCF currently has a camera and printer in place there that can take pictures of the arrestee and provide copies of their photos for the arresting officer.”

The Commissioner further stated that officers following any arrest — whether the defendant is detained or later released — are to be taken to the TCF for fingerprinting and have their photos taken before they are either released or detained.

The Commissioner noted that every police officer is responsible for fingerprinting their own arrestee or they can be assisted by a TCF officer possessing the knowledge and skills to properly fingerprint the arrestee.

“If any of you need a refresher course in the proper way of taking fingerprints, please inform your watch commanders so that we can arrange this training for you by Sgt Jackie Lagai of the ID and Records Division.

Haleck further said in the memo that the TCF will keep one set of fingerprint cards, photographs, booking information and a copy of the offense report if available for their records. “The arresting officer will keep the remaining copies of the fingerprints cards, photos, offense report and booking information which should be turned over to their watch commander at the end of their shift. “If for some reason this arrangement is not possible, the arresting officer can make other arrangements with their commanders.”

“Bottom line is that we must have all four of these items noted above, documenting each and every arrest we affect from now on.”

Haleck said that most importantly is for each watch commander to make sure that the required items of documentation be immediately turned over to the records division in order to  input the fingerprint card information and booking into the police system for record keeping.

He said most importantly this documentation also provides the department with the ability to build a database of information on the subjects and repeat offenders which will enable the department’s Criminal Investigation Division to identity other suspects, criminal activities and elements occurring in the territory.

He asked the officers to continue to work together to accomplish this goal and asked for their continuer support in this endeavor.