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Samoa police officer fined after wife rats him out

joyetter@samoanews.com

Apia, SAMOA — A senior police officer who took a revolver home that belonged to the Ministry of Police was fined, after his wife reported him to the police, when she found out he was having an affair.  Samoa News is withholding the name of the defendant to protect the identity of the victim as this matter was held before the Domestic Violence Family Court.
 
District Court Judge, Leiataualesa Darryl Clarke fined the senior police officer for unlawful possession of a firearm, common assault and adultery. The defendant pleaded guilty to all three charges. According to the police summary of facts the defendant is the Commanding Officer of the Lotofaga Police Post.
 
Last year in March the police officer’s wife suspected the defendant was having an affair. The wife confronted her husband at the Police Post and the defendant slapped her in the face. In turn the wife reported to the police that the defendant was in possession of an unlicensed firearm, a 357 revolver.
 
According to the police report, the senior officer informed the court through a signed affidavit that the revolver in questions was a police exhibit in a matter under investigation.  The report further says that “as guns in other matters had gone missing from Faleolo Police Station, you said you kept the revolver with you to protect the revolver as evidence. It had first been kept by you (defendant) in a box in your office at Faleolo Police Station. When you were transferred to Lotofaga Police Post, you took the revolver with you to ensure it did not go missing. You left the revolver in a box at your wife’s family home in a sealed bag “for safety”. You were subsequently kicked out of that home by your wife and banished from the village. Your wife reported you to police for possession of the revolver and the revolver was subsequently recovered when police executed a warrant on the family home,” according to the police report.
 
Leiataualesa noted that the defendant was banished from his wife’s village and he was fined $7,000. The defendant has been a member of Police Service since 1993 and he has been on leave with pay since the incident occurred last year.
 
The District Court Judge pointed out that Police Acting Commissioner Afamasaga Michael Soonalole provided a written reference in support, noting that the defendant is a self-disciplined, mature, reliable and honest person. “A talented person with very good leadership and management skills.” The Acting Commissioner also outlines the extensive work carried out by the defendant in the Ministry of Police in respect to counter-terrorism, disaster management, customer service, investigations and leadership. Leiataua also pointed out that the defendant has been commended by his superiors for his professionalism and commitment during deployment overseas in Solomon Islands.
 
The District Court Judge also pointed out that probation Service confirms that defendant have apologized and reconciled with your wife. She has addressed the Court this morning and reiterated this and asked the Court for leniency.
 
The court took into consideration the defendant’s early plea, his banishment from the village, and a fine of $7,000 that was paid. Leiataualesa accepted that the defendant is genuinely remorseful and have taken responsibility for his actions.
 
During sentencing the defendant also asked the court for a discharge without conviction and the basis of his application is because of his remorse. The defendant also noted that if he’s convicted of the charges his employment would be terminated.
 
In conclusion the defendant was ordered to pay  $400 to for prosecution costs within 14 days and on payment of those costs, he’s to be discharged without conviction. -

she found out he was having an affair.  Samoa News is withholding the name of the defendant to protect the identity of the victim as this matter was held before the Domestic Violence Family Court.
 
District Court Judge, Leiataualesa Darryl Clarke fined the senior police officer for unlawful possession of a firearm, common assault and adultery. The defendant pleaded guilty to all three charges. According to the police summary of facts the defendant is the Commanding Officer of the Lotofaga Police Post.
 
Last year in March the police officer’s wife suspected the defendant was having an affair. The wife confronted her husband at the Police Post and the defendant slapped her in the face. In turn the wife reported to the police that the defendant was in possession of an unlicensed firearm, a 357 revolver.
 
According to the police report, the senior officer informed the court through a signed affidavit that the revolver in questions was a police exhibit in a matter under investigation.  The report further says that “as guns in other matters had gone missing from Faleolo Police Station, you said you kept the revolver with you to protect the revolver as evidence. It had first been kept by you (defendant) in a box in your office at Faleolo Police Station. When you were transferred to Lotofaga Police Post, you took the revolver with you to ensure it did not go missing. You left the revolver in a box at your wife’s family home in a sealed bag “for safety”. You were subsequently kicked out of that home by your wife and banished from the village. Your wife reported you to police for possession of the revolver and the revolver was subsequently recovered when police executed a warrant on the family home,” according to the police report.
 
Leiataualesa noted that the defendant was banished from his wife’s village and he was fined $7,000. The defendant has been a member of Police Service since 1993 and he has been on leave with pay since the incident occurred last year.
 
The District Court Judge pointed out that Police Acting Commissioner Afamasaga Michael Soonalole provided a written reference in support, noting that the defendant is a self-disciplined, mature, reliable and honest person. “A talented person with very good leadership and management skills.” The Acting Commissioner also outlines the extensive work carried out by the defendant in the Ministry of Police in respect to counter-terrorism, disaster management, customer service, investigations and leadership. Leiataua also pointed out that the defendant has been commended by his superiors for his professionalism and commitment during deployment overseas in Solomon Islands.
 
The District Court Judge also pointed out that probation Service confirms that defendant have apologized and reconciled with your wife. She has addressed the Court this morning and reiterated this and asked the Court for leniency.
 
The court took into consideration the defendant’s early plea, his banishment from the village, and a fine of $7,000 that was paid. Leiataualesa accepted that the defendant is genuinely remorseful and have taken responsibility for his actions.
 
During sentencing the defendant also asked the court for a discharge without conviction and the basis of his application is because of his remorse. The defendant also noted that if he’s convicted of the charges his employment would be terminated.
 
In conclusion the defendant was ordered to pay  $400 to for prosecution costs within 14 days and on payment of those costs, he’s to be discharged without conviction. - See more at: http://www.samoanews.com/content/en/samoa-police-officer-fined-after-wif...