An adequately
resourced SIU with
capable staff able to
adequately deliver its
functions
Capability and
standby capacity to
conduct authorised
investigations
An open and
transparent
relationship with
Police
Active case
consultations with
Police Professional
Standards Unit
(PSU)
Improved Professional
Standards Unit case
handling
Staff
SIU continued its operations with two (2) staff members. After much budgetary negotiations and requests,
SIU is happy to report that it will be welcoming a Senior Investigation Officer to join the team in the
upcoming financial year.
Work
Outcome 1: Independent, credible and effective discharge of the functions of the Special
Investigations Unit
Performance Indicator 1.1: Regular monitoring and good control to improve Police handling of complaints
As per section 68(5) of the Police Service Act 2009, the SIU is mandated to review the PSU on a regular
basis. SIU reviews PSU on a bi-annual basis, submitting reports to the Commissioner on the following
scope:
a) The complaints lodged in the PSU Complaints Register in comparison to the lists forwarded to SIU;
b) PSU case management practices and procedures in compliance with PSU’s Standard Operating
Procedures;
c) Quality of investigations (i.e. Time frame of investigations, issues, concerns etc).
In September 2019, SIU conducted its first bi-annual review of PSU for the financial year. This was a review
into all complaints received by the Police from January to June 2019. It was recorded that PSU received a
total of 38 complaints. This is a significant 52.5% drop in complaints compared to the last 6 months (i.e.
July to December 2018) in which PSU received a total of 80 complaints.
It was encouraging to see that there was a decrease in complaints against police officers during this period
of review. There are however, recurring issues around the inconsistent administration of complaints. The
most common complaint against police officers is their failure to take necessary and prompt measures for
the arrest or investigation of any reported offence. This can range from failing to keep complainants
Office of the Ombusman/NHRI Samoa Annual Report 2019/20
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