Sen. Galeai M. Tu’ufuli is calling for the Lolo Administration to come up with a strategic plan to protect police officers and other local law enforcement officers, following the recent shootings targeting the Department of Public Safety.

A drive-by-shooting of the Leone Police Substation occurred in late November and weeks later, on Dec. 28, shots were fired at a police vehicle with three officers inside, one of whom was injured. The two shootings have raised questions as to why the police are being targeted.

Investigations continue in both cases, but the shootings have left some residents on edge and lawmakers eager to find out from the executive branch the latest development in these investigations, and what is being done to protect law enforcement officers.

Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga is scheduled to deliver his State of the Territory Address next Monday on the official opening of the 34th Legislature. Galeai said he would like to know from the governor what the administration is doing to protect police officers.

“I hope that the governor, when addressing the Fono, will share with lawmakers the administration’s strategy in addressing the issue of protecting officers as well as what the government is doing to address the increased presence of drugs and the ongoing allegations of drugs being sold freely in the territory,” said Galeai, a former police commissioner.

While there has been no public disclosure by the local authorities, there has been a lot of speculation and talk in the community that the two shootings last year were drug related, with allegations that the drug dealers don't want police raiding their operations.

Galeai said the issue of the drug problem in American Samoa "is a serious one and must be addressed by the administration." The Fono, in turn, will provide whatever support is needed, through proper legislation and other means available.

“Drug business is serious and when someone tries to put a stop to it, those operators will react — and in a very bad way — such as making sure that their operations are not stopped by anyone. Drugs are how these operators make money and they will fight back if there is any interference,” Galeai said.

“So the government must have a strategy to respond to such threats from these operators,” he said and revealed that he is looking at proposing new legislation— similar to that at the federal level — to add more protection for police officer and all individuals who deal with law enforcement in American Samoa.

He says the proposed measure is being researched carefully and would include a provision that makes it a felony to even lie to a police officer or a law enforcement officer.

Galeai said the protection of police officers, and the drug problems now faced by the territory are among some of the first issues that he plans to raise in the Senate when the 34th Legislature convenes next week.

“These are very serious issues, which cannot be ignored but must be addressed head on, with the Fono working with all branches of government as well as the community,” he said.

A handful of House members told Samoa News that they will also raise the same issues, especially the shootings targeting police, when the Fono convenes. They also believe that American Samoa should ask the federal government for help in the investigation of the two shootings.