Woman Cop Promoted to Assistant Commissioner
Commissioner of Police Fuiavaili’ili Egon Keil has confirmed the appointment of Papalii Efo Moalele-Lemana by the Cabinet as Assistant Police Commissioner.
This is ansenior police woman who has been elevated to the top echelons of the Ministry of Police Prisons and Correctional Services and taken on the role of Assistant Police Commissioner.
It was during the term of current Commissioner Fuiavaili’ili that Samoa saw its first female Deputy Commissioner Papali’i Monalisa Keti.
“Women in the Samoa Police have never held so many powerful and critical positions in the history of this agency,” he said.
“It’s been a long time coming and I have never been so proud of their work and contribution to enhancing and developing our country’s police force.”
The daughter of the late Police Inspector Taimalelagi Peika Moalele Tuiletufuga, Papalii has been a police officer for over 20 years and currently oversees the Police criminal investigations division.
Papali’i said she was humbled by her promotion.
“I am humbled by the opportunity given by the Cabinet to continue serving our country and the Ministry and this cannot be possible without the prayers and strong support of my family, especially my mother Tualagi , my husband and children and my siblings,” she
said.
“It is tough working in a male dominant field, but when you’re passionate about your work and love what you do, challenges mean nothing, when you set your goals and achieve them.
“This milestone in my life is dedicated to my late father, Taimalelagi Peika Moalele Tuiletufuga who played a major role, that led me to where I am now.”
Papalii also singled out the role of the Police Commissioner in opening the door for more policemen to be promoted.
“I also want to thank Commissioner Fuiavaili’ili for paving the way for women and not considering gender when it comes to our work,” she said.
Commissioner Fuiavaili’ili told the Samoa Observer that Papali’i was nother female in a very critical position in the Police.
She was the Head of the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police Women’s Advisory Network.
Out of the 21 countries that are part of the P.I.C.P. Samoa has the highest number of female police officers. There are more than 700 Police Officers and close to 200 women.
Papalii is a mother-of-two, Baker and Princess Peninatauteleolevasapasefika and is married to Tomasi Tuua Lemana, a former Police Inspector who has since resigned due to the Police Policy against couples working together.