Top Police post raise eyebrows

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 01 May 2018, 12:00AM

Interested parties and members of the public have raised questions as to why one of the high profile positions in the Government, the post of Police Commissioner, has not been widely advertised.

The only position that has been advertised is that of the Deputy Police Commissioner.

A Government official who only wants to be identified as “Oni” was shocked to find out the deadline to submit application for the Police Commissioner post was last week on Monday 22 April 2018. 

Asked for a comment, the Chairman of the Public Service Commission, Aiono Mose Su’a, was adamant the position had been widely advertised on TV1, radio stations and newspapers - including the Samoa Observer. 

This doesn’t appear to have happened.

A check of the advertisements in the Samoa Observer shows no ad for the post.  TV1 and other radio stations also confirmed there was no advertisement for the Commissioner’s post.

The only position advertised was that of the Deputy Police Commissioner.  

Aiono said it is not P.S.C’s role to enforce the advertisement of these positions.

“Also these things do no fall under the P.S.C. We are helping the Police but the advertising is their responsibility,” Aiono said.

He insisted that the position had been advertised.

“The Commissioner’s post advertisement has been published in your newspaper for a month now. You should go and talk to your advertisement people in your office, but I am certain it has been in the paper."

“Please be mindful, we are only doing this to assist the Police but their responsibility is to advertise the available positions including the Commissioner post,” said Aiono. 

The position is currently held by Commissioner Fuiavaili’ili Egon Keil.

His contract ended last month.

Emails to the Commissioner as to how long the extension of his contract was for have not been answered. 

Aiono told the Samoa Observer that extension of contracts is normal for the C.E.O. positions and the Commissioner of Police. 

“First of all we don’t have anything to do with the extension of contracts."

“But the extensions for these positions are normal, while they await the outcome of the interview process,” said Aiono. 

Asked as to how many applicants vied for the Commissioner post, Aiono was unaware. 

Regarding the Deputy Commissioner Post, Aiono confirmed the interview process has been completed but no decision has been made.

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 01 May 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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