The Scientific Research Organization of Samoa (SROS) celebrated a significant
enhancement to Samoa's police force capabilities with the opening and handover
of a new Calibration Machine for Alcohol Breathalyzers today. The state-of-the-art
equipment, donated by the Government of Australia through the Samoa Australia
Policing Partnership Program, was unveiled during a ceremony attended by
distinguished guests including the Honorable Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea
Schmidt of SROS, H.E. Will Robinson (Australian High Commissioner to Samoa),
and key figures from the Australian Federal Police.
During the keynote address, Honorable Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea
Schmidt expressed profound gratitude towards the Government of Australia for
their continued support and collaboration. "This new calibration machine, a
pioneering technology in Samoa, will enable the Ministry of Police to perform
essential calibration checks locally, ensuring that results from alcohol breathalyzer
units are accurate and reliable," said Minister Laaulialemalietoa.
Previously, the Ministry of Police had to send breathalyzer units to Canberra for
calibration – a process that was not only costly but also time-consuming. With the
new in-country calibration capability, the process will be expedited and will allow
more frequent and efficient testing, enhancing the enforcement of laws against
driving under the influence of alcohol.
The donation comes at a crucial time, with Samoa battling significant alcohol-
related challenges. Statistics indicate that an overwhelming 90 percent of crimes in
Samoa are related to drugs and alcohol. The new equipment aims to strengthen
Samoa's ability to combat these issues more effectively, reducing the time and
financial resources previously expended.
"This generous act by the Australian Government will not only save costs and time
but also improve our capacity to enforce laws more effectively," Minister Schmidt
added, outlining the importance of reliable data in legal proceedings and law
enforcement.
In his remarks, Hon. Minister Laaulialemaletoa also highlighted the successful
collaboration between SROS and the Samoa Ministry of Police, the Attorney
General’s Office, and the Ministry of Justice and Court Administration in using
SROS's Internationally Accredited Testing Laboratory for drug and alcohol
analysis.
The ceremony concluded with a reaffirmation of the strong ties between Samoa
and Australia. Hon. Minister Laaulialemalietoa extended his best wishes to the
people of Australia and expressed confidence that the new machine would play a
pivotal role in keeping Samoa safe.