Top cop returns

By Sarafina Sanerivi 15 March 2017, 12:00AM

A new chapter for the Ministry of Police started yesterday.

It happened when Fuiavailili Egon Keil, the Police Commissioner, was welcomed back to work after he was suspended for several months.

It was much more peaceful, and without the drama which surrounded the last time he returned to work when he was arrested and thrown into a Police cell.

This time, the welcome was a lot more cordial. 

In fact, the Minister of Police and Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, was at the Police Station to facilitate the unification process.

He was joined by the Police officers of the Ministry of Police to greet the Commissioner on his first day back.

Upon arrival at the station, the Police Commissioner, the Prime Minister and senior officers went into a meeting. 

The media was not allowed inside.

After the meeting, however, Fuiavailili told the media that he was “grateful” to be back at work. 

“I am very grateful to be here, and I am very grateful to the Prime Minister for allowing his valuable time to speak here to the elite, to the top management of the Ministry of Police and I to introduce me back as Commissioner of Police,” said Fuiavailili. 

Asked what the meeting was about, Fuiavailili said the Minister of Police wanted to encourage the Ministry to move forward and work together. 

He said he appreciated the fact Tuilaepa was present to officially welcome him back to work. 

 “It was really nice to have him speak on his perspective, his goals, his mission and it’s something that I take seriously as well." 

“I also took the time as well to thank him and his Cabinet for bringing me back. Today, what I was telling them was that, it was a day of unification." 

“We need to move forward, we have a mission and we have to protect and serve Samoa. We have a lot of work to do." 

“It’s time to put differences aside and work for a common goal to better Samoa." 

“So I am very grateful that has happened, it’s a lot different from the lasttime when I reported to work, and it is something I am very grateful for.”

Fuiavailili said he is optimistic about the future of the Police force.

“I am looking forward to continuing on with my duty. I will strive to do my best to uphold the law and also to fulfill my promise, my oath and my pledge as Commissioner of Police." 

“We are working on a unification process right now. We need to move forward so time will tell but today is a day of peace, trying to make up and unify the organization." 

“There’s a lot of work that needs to be done, there’s a lot of support within the police as well." 

“And we are all excited to get this thing going; I am also looking forward to work with my other partners in government. Attorney General’s Office, Justice, Prisons and other ministries as well.”

Tuilaepa also shared the same feeling when he was approached for a comment.

“We had a traditional welcoming for him just like how matais are in a village council,” said Tuilaepa. 

“A village council is not different from how a Ministry operates. Every time they have differences, they always have a meeting to reconcile and make up." 

“So today’s (yesterday) meeting was to reconcile and we talked about forgiving whatever has happened in the past." 

“That was the main purpose of meeting."

“There is nothing more important than forgetting whatever happened in the past and move forward.”

By Sarafina Sanerivi 15 March 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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