The Samoa Police Prisons and Corrections services marked another milestone in building
the capacity and capability of their organisation with the graduation of five police officers last
month who successfully completed first aid training for instructors through the Samoa Red
Cross Society.
The graduation ceremony was held on Friday 22 July at Samoa Police Command Post and
was attended by members of the Police Executive, Secretary General of the Samoa Red
Cross, Namulauulu Tautala Mauala who presented a training report and representatives
from the Australia Federal Police (AFP) led Samoa Australia Police Partnership (SAPP).
In his remarks, the Samoa Police Commissioner, Auapaau Logoitino Filipo congratulated the
officers for their achievement and emphasized how crucial their role will be over the next two
years in training and certifying members of the organization including future instructors to
ensure sustainability of services.
“I am very proud this afternoon to congratulate the five (5) Police Officers who have
completed their training with the Samoa Red Cross Society and who are now certified first
aid instructors,” said Aupaau. “I applaud you for your commitment and determination to
upskill yourselves personally and professionally.”
“It is my hope as the Commissioner that you will utilize these skills and knowledge to deliver
essential first aid trainings to all members of the Samoa Police Prisons and Corrections
Services. My message to you is to make use of this opportunity to help the other officers in
the Service by providing the proper training in the area of First Aid. In this way, you are
serving your organization and also giving back to Samoa and our communities.”
Over the last decade the SPPCS has outsourced first aid training of their officers to the
Samoa Red Cross Society but due to budget constraints the number of officers trained and
certified were limited. With the certification of five instructors within the organization, the
organization received a significant boost in its autonomy to provide this service which will
ultimately benefit the public and help save lives.
“It has always been the aim of our Service to serve the people of Samoa and our
communities by delivering the best professional services.” said Auapaau.” In order for us to
do that effectively, we need to build the capacity and capability of all our Police Officers.
Police Officers are mandated to protect life, therefore I feel as the Commissioner, that it is
important for our officers to be competent in first aid training as they could be the first
responders to any incident that may occur within Samoa.”
The first aid training for instructors was part of an initiative funded by the AFP led Samoa
Australia Police Partnership Program (SAPP). The total fund came to SAT $150,000 which
also covered the provision of training for 900 SPPCS members who will receive an
internationally recognized 2 year certification as well. In addition the SPPCS also received
first aid training equipment, instructor uniforms, and first aid manuals. In his remarks,
Auapaau conveyed this thanks to the AFP for their ongoing support to the SPPCS.

“These training opportunities would not have been available to us without your (AFP) direct
financial support and co-operation in supporting us in our vision for the organisation We
thank you for recognizing the need and enabling the opportunity that will benefit our
organization in the long run”