By Tupuola Terry Tavita

Police has hit back on its critics who claim they should not have been armed at Satapuala last Thursday.

Assistant Police Commissioner Misa Nafo’i Talaimanu Keti believes the critics should also take into account the safety of Police officers.

“Numerous officers have fallen in the line of duty in the past,�? he said.

“Many times unarmed Police have had to face armed people who held them up at gunpoint. Many times they’ve been chased like chickens by armed gunmen. You want us to go with just our chests to face armed civilians?�?

Misa led the Police operation to dismantle roadblocks at Satapuala and secure the surveying of government land at Faleolo to build a hospital.

“They (Satapuala) were heavily armed. They were firing their guns in the air and the Police also responded with gunfire into the sky. If Police wasn’t armed, there would’ve been bloodshed. If Police wasn’t armed those people would’ve attacked us.�?

An amendment to the Arms Ordinance in 2007 allowed Police to bear arms when excuting high risk operations.

“I’m personally very grateful for that amendment. Now we can perform our duties with a degree of security. Our force is also well trained and will not abuse that privilege.

“Now there are those who say we should have handled matters in the traditional way of dialogue. That’s what we have been doing for a long time now. Talking to them, using Samoan oratory and matai dialogue. Those avenues have been exhausted. There was no rationalizing with those people anymore. And what did they do?

“They went and blocked the road – not just one but three road blocks – armed with guns and machetes and rocks and searched and threatened passengers. People’s constitutional to move around had been compromised. They posed a deadly threat to the country’s national security.

“I was there. The young people of Satapuala were uncontrollable. They wore masks and started throwing rocks at the Police. If they were so brave, then why did need to wear t-shirts on their heads. I blame the weak leadership of that village.

Two of our officers were injured. But our intentions were never to hurt anybody but to restore law and order in that village. To alleviate the threat they posed to the national security of this country.�?

Asked for comment on Opposition Tautua Party’s claim – reiterated by party president Palusalue Faapo II – that Police should not have been armed, Talaimanu said,

“I don’t want to engage in political talk. But talk is very cheap especially when said in the comfort of your home or office. If your life or that of your son’s is at risk, then you probably wouldn’t hold the same opinion. I’d rather if he (Palusalue) just said thank you, to the Police who were performing their duties that day, and went about his way.�?

Misa – a veteran of the Police force for over 30 years – said sending armed squads to quell flashpoints will be a feature in Police operations in the future.

“We all would like to think that Samoan dialogue is enough. But people and attitudes are changing and so is the level of offending.�?

Share This

About the author