Police under scrutiny

By Lanuola Tupufia – Ah Tong 07 December 2016, 12:00AM

The Ministry of Police is being closely watched.

So assured the Associate Minister of the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Peseta Vaifou Tevaga.

Speaking to the Samoa Observer, Peseta said that since Prime Minister Tuilaepa took back the portfolio, they are closely monitoring the activities at the Ministry.

So much to the point Associate Minister Peseta now sits in Police executive meetings to be the ears of the Minister. 

During the executives debriefing on Monday, Peseta was there – a practice that was not there before. 

“I’m there on behalf of the Minister to listen to the weekly reports from different Police posts,” Peseta told the Samoa Observer.  “If we are not there we will not know what is happening. I then report to the Prime Minister on Fridays about what is happening so that he does not miss out on anything happening in there and not be taken by surprise of any events.”

So far, Peseta said it has been good.  “There are no major changes just that one and it is during those debriefings that I also advice the Ministry on focusing on their work and leave out what is not useful.”

According to Peseta, Police officers are known for writing so many letters to the Prime Minister instead of addressing them to the Minister responsible for the Police.

To change this, he said he had encouraged the officers to talk to their seniors about internal matters that they can be resolved to save time. “The Prime Minister is a busy man he has a lot to deal with,” said Peseta. 

“But the problem is that we see is when something minor comes up this officer runs up to the Prime Minister to tell his story or write a ghost letter when its an internal matter that can be resolved. 

“I had advised the executives to talk with each of their divisions and deal with such issues because the Minister who is the Prime Minister is a busy man and save the important things for him to deal with.”

The Associate Minister admits that the many internal differences within the Ministry needs to be stop. 

He said some of the things being talked about is unnecessary while there are a lot of work that needs to be done. 

Asked about the recent suspension, Peseta declined to comment. 

He reiterated that the decision was from Cabinet and he had no knowledge of it. 

“I do not know if there are any more suspensions,” he explained. 

“My role in here is to help carry some of the work load of the Prime Minister and be his ears in the Ministry of Police.”

By Lanuola Tupufia – Ah Tong 07 December 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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