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First group of potential cadets for Police Academy take entrance exam

“We want to give everyone a fair chance at becoming part of the next police academy,” said Fuega Moliga, the special assistant to the Commissioner of Public Safety, when asked about whether or not another test date will be offered to those who weren’t able to take the test last week.

 

The Governor H. Rex Lee Auditorium in Utulei was the venue for the two-session police academy entrance test that was taken by more than 200 residents who want to become law enforcement officers with the Dept. of Public Safety.

 

Fuega told Samoa News yesterday that more than 100 people who registered to take the test last week didn’t show up, and that number includes members of the local US Army Reserve Unit who are currently off island for training.

 

“We will be offering a re-test date to accommodate those who didn’t sit the test the first time around, because we want everyone to get a chance to take the test,” Fuega said, adding that a set test date is yet to be made official, pending the return of the local Army Reservists who signed up for the test.

 

Scores for those who took the test last week will be posted at the Dept. of Human Resources inside the A.P. Lutali Executive Office Building in Utulei today.

 

“We don’t want to rush through the process with the group that has already taken the test because we want to make sure everything is fair,” Fuega added.

 

Once a potential cadet passes the written test, other tests will follow, including a physical examination, psychological evaluation, a background check, and an oral interview.

 

“It will include the whole nine yards and the entire process will take another month and a half before the names of those who will be taking part in the police academy will be announced,” Fuega explained.

 

There are only 20 slots available for the next police academy and with the overwhelming response from the community, Samoa News asked Fuega if there is a possibility that another police academy will be offered before the year is out.

 

He said everything will depend on funding, adding that their budget was approved to pay for only 20 cadets.

 

Samoa News understands that an estimated 450 applicants had shown interest in becoming police officers; hence the two separate testing sessions.

 

This police academy is the first to be offered in the territory in three years.

 

Funding for the Police Academy comes from the Dept. of Public Safety’s FY 2014 budget.