Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga yesterday moved to fill two senior posts with the Department of Public Safety noting that Police Commissioner William Haleck didn’t heed his advice to stay on island during a “critical time of the year” — being close to the holidays.

Lolo also says he wanted Haleck to remain on island for today’s meeting to review the DPS organizational chart, but again, the commissioner left Monday — this time for a family funeral off island.

Lolo issued three memos yesterday, naming Vaimaga Maiava as Deputy Commissioner and Commander Tauese Va’aomala Sunia as Chief of Police. Maiava was Chief of Police for a long time while Commander Tauese oversaw the Training Division.

Samoa News asked Governor Lolo why he made the appointments when there is a Commissioner to oversee DPS. The governor responded that it’s a critical time of the year, with the holidays coming up and yet there are two top positions in DPS that are vacant.

“I had to act. I asked the Commissioner to stay to review the organizational chart and he gave me such short notice when he left off island Monday night. I tried to convince him that he should be here at this time of the year and that tomorrow they were going to review the department’s organizational chart, but he decided against it and said he had to leave,” said the governor.

“He made his call to leave and he said he cannot miss this family funeral. I acted because it has to be done,” said Governor Lolo.

According to the memo, Lolo said that as of December 2, 2014 Maiava is Deputy Commissioner and he shall be responsible to carry out all functions, duties, and responsibilities set out under the law, in collaboration with the Commissioner of Public Safety. “He will also faithfully implement jointly with the Commissioner the performance deliverables for the Department of Public Safety.

“There are no exceptions to this policy and full compliance with the dictates of Title 46 chapter of the American Samoa Code Annotated is expected, where the Deputy Commissioner is expected to enforce all provisions therein contained and is expected to carry out performance deliverables as established and issued by the governor.”

Lolo stated that this policy will be in effect and will continue indefinitely unless superseded by an amending policy declaration.”

Lolo noted that in the absence of the Commissioner from the territory, Deputy Commissioner Maiava is designated Acting Commissioner until the return of the Commissioner.

He also pointed out that Maiava is given full authority to act accordingly to ensure that the safety of all the residents of American Samoa during the holidays is fully secured.

Lolo urged the departments and agency directors to give Maiava their full support should he reach out for assistance, as he attempts to make sure the holiday season will be free from any fatal accidents or public disorder which may affect the joyous spirit of Christmas and the New Year.

In March, the Commissioner recommended the appointment of Criminal Investigation Division Commander Lavat’ai Taase Sagapolutele as temporary Acting Deputy Commissioner.  Instead, the Administration appointed the Director of the Office of Fraud Prevention and Investigation (OFPI) Save Liuato Tuitele.

Save is Acting Deputy Commissioner until a permanent replacement is made.