Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — District Court Judge Fiti Sunia has ordered three police officers to pay the fines for citations the court dismissed, after they failed to turn in the original copies for these citations on time.

The three officers are: Sabrina Amosa, Iapani Tiumalu, and Det. Filemoni Amituana’i.

All three cops appeared in District Court Thursday morning for an Order to Show Cause (OSC) hearing.

For Amosa’s case, Sunia said that on Sept. 25, 2018,  the court dismissed a citation because the original copy was not filed in court until Sept. 26. When asked why she failed to file in court the original copy of the citation, Amosa said she was off island. Sunia then ordered her to pay the $65 fine (including the $10 law enforcement fee) which was noted on the citation.

For Tiumalu’s case, Sunia stated that on Oct. 2, 2018, the court dismissed a citation because the original copy was not on file in court until three days later, on Oct. 5. Tiumalu said he didn't file the original because he was busy doing other job related duties. Sunia then ordered Tiumalu to pay the $60 fine (including a $10 law enforcement fee), as noted on the citation.

For Det. Amituana’i, Sunia said the court dismissed a citation on Oct. 2, 2018, because the original copy was not filed in court until Oct. 5. Det. Amituana’i said he honestly forgot to file the original copy on time. Sunia then ordered Det. Amituana’i to pay the $75 fine (including the $10 law enforcement fee), which was on the citation he issued.

The cops were told that they are responsible for the fines that the court was unable to collect from the citations that were dismissed.

"Next time, don’t forget to turn in the original copies of your citations,” Sunia warned the officers.