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Save Liuato Tuitele unanimously confirmed as new DPS Commissioner

Save Liuato Tuitele’s appointment as Commissioner of Public Safety has been approved unanimously by the House in a vote of 15-0, the same result as the Senate vote last week.

 

Prior to the vote, Save appeared Monday morning before the House for his confirmation hearing, where representatives commended Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga for appointing Save, who is more than qualified for the Commissioner post.

 

Several lawmakers reminded Save of the importance of morale in the DPS, as it does affect the performance of police officers when carrying out their duties. Vice Speaker, Fetu Fetui Jr noted that Save had made recommendations to the Governor regarding the Police Station in Leone and asked why he’s opted to close it down.

 

Save did not go into details, but explained that he gave the governor the pros and cons of closing down the Leone Substation as well as the Eastern Substation.

 

Fetu told Save that if he feels it’s the right decision to close down the substations for the betterment of DPS, then do it and he will support that decision. “Your resume is very impressive and you are more than qualified for the job, however you need… to please do whatever it takes to bring up DPS to par with everything going on, if need be, to discipline those who deserve it, then do it.”

 

The Vice Speaker also urged Save to be mindful of the complaints by the public, especially the elderly population regarding the attitude of the police officers when conducting their jobs, saying they need to show respect in order for them to be respected, and especially with the senior citizens.

 

Tualauta Faipule Vui Florence Tuaumu Saulo also commended the nominee for an outstanding resume, and noted that she is concerned about the salaries of the police officers as they are underpaid. She also pointed out that there have been complaints to her from her constituents that there is nepotism in DPS and urged Save to look into it. She further noted that nepotism affects the morale of the officers and it affects how they do their job.

 

Pago Pago faipule, Meauta Lauoi Mageo pointed out to Save that despite mandates by the Human Resources for all departments and agencies to stop all voluntary and involuntary reassignment and transfer of employees, DPS continues to make personnel changes without following proper procedures. He asked Save to give an explanation on this matter.

 

Save responded that for these recent changes, he met with Human Resources Director Sonny L. Thompson and the explanation given by Chief of Police Tauese Vaaomala Sunia was that the changes had to be made for the betterment of the department.

 

Save further told the lawmakers that Tauese made it clear that Governor Lolo has instructed that they are to make the personnel changes that need to be made to move DPS forward.

 

Samoa News notes that it’s unclear now as to what will happen to the Office of Fraud Prevention and Investigation, which is now without a director.