SECURITY GLIMPSE FOR CHOGM : Security officer at work on crowd control
By Staff Writer
Police security preparations are getting an early build up for the hosting of the Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting, CHOGM, next year in Samoa.
A recruitment drive is underway already for new officers to boost the force of 800 law enforcers in the country.
The deputy Commissioner of Police, Papali’i Monalisa Keti, confirmed plans to have overseas police officers deployed on special security duties for leaders attending the meeting.
“We have been in contact with the New Zealand police for their support along similar lines as the hosting of the 2014 SIDS Conference,” Papali’i disclosed.
“We’ve also made approaches for help to law enforcement services in Australia and the US and they have indicated support.”
A rough estimate of up to 10 thousand visitors are anticipated to inflate the population of Apia during CHOGM putting it on par with SIDS as the biggest conferences to be hosted in Samoa.
Leaders of Commonwealth countries meet every two years in different member countries on a rotating basis.
Since 1971, a total of 25 meetings have been held, with the most recent in Rwanda in 2022 attended by 29 Head of Government from 56 member countries including Samoa.
Africa with 21 member countries form the biggest membership block in CHOGM with 13 from the Caribbean islands and 11 in the Pacific making up the combined majority.
Europe with it 3 country members and Asia combined for the 11 remaining countries.
“We’re keeping close watch on policing needs for CHOGM and we have the option of hiring auxiliary officers to help out if needed, the same as it was done in one of the Pacific Games held in Samoa,” Papali’i continued.
Teachers were trained as auxiliary officers the first time the Ministry of Police was forced to boost their numbers for the major events hosted in Samoa.
The extra officers returned to their regular job when law enforcement duties returned to normal.