POLICE COVID PREVENTION ROADBLOCKS : One of the many roadblocks set up around urban Apia during the COVID pandemic SOE lockdown (inset- left) Deputy Commissioner of Police Papali’i Monalisa Keti
By Staff Writer
The COVID pandemic state of emergency duties, SOE, to protect and prevent the disease from reaching the local community, stood out in law enforcement services for the year just ended 2022 in Samoa.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Papali’i Monalisa Keti, reflected on the police already taking up related duties to the pandemic even before the year started.
“The first suspected case of COVID reaching the community was in March and it pushed the level of alertness higher,” Deputy Commissioner Papali’i remembered well.
Roadblocks and road patrols to disperse public groupings or large crowds became the more visible health protection measures that needed state of emergency police enforcement.
“The whole service went into a working camp to meet on duty requirements and for their own protection from spreading the COVID virus to families,” added Papali’i.
“The workload took its toll on the service when half the officers became infected and forced to undergo quarantine in one of our 5 quarantine locations.”
The deputy commissioner recalled how the heavy workload forced officers coming out of quarantine to return straight back to police duties rather than take home leave.
The staff providing support services in the kitchen and other obligations to look after the working force showed similar work commitment despite being infected also.
“The work commitment from everyone was high and so too was the level of fatigue at the increased on duty hours.”
Deputy Commissioner Papali’i felt that it was fortunate the country was more focused on protection against the risks of the COVID virus, it helped keep any rise in criminal activities down.
“The ban on the sale of alcohol during lockdown hours was a key influence as well as families getting together at home and not moving around too much.”
Even with the COVID pandemic workload on their shoulders the law enforcers managed to continue with other obligations like celebration duties of the 60th anniversary of Independence.
A police guard of honour was still able to raise the flag at the official flag raising ceremony for independence at the Malae-o-Tiafau, Mulinu’u.
The police were the only ones present with SOE requirements keeping everyone away.
State visits by the New Zealand Prime Minister followed by the country’s Governor followed later in the year.
Foreign Affairs Ministers from China and Australia were in the country also including a visit by the US deputy Secretary of State.
Other highlights for the police was the appointment of a new Police Commissioner and the return of licensing and registration duties back to the Land and Transport Authority.
The COVID pandemic threat finally came to an end with the lifting of the international travel ban in August but it meant re-adjustments for police work.
“We had to re-focus our priorities after all the concentration on SOE requirements during the COVID pandemic.
“People were also coming back with the opening of the borders, and we had to re-direct the attention on their security, especially tourists.”
Stats are yet to be finalised on police activities recorded in the year to give a clear picture of how 2022 turned out.
Papali’i did confirm that the festive season for 2022 was much quieter than 2021 with less call ins for police actions.
The only serious exceptions were the three deaths under police investigations including a woman police officer.