Handover Ceremony of Australian Federal Police CHOGM Fleet

Apia, Samoa – The Samoa Police, Prisons & Corrections Services (SPPCS) today received a substantial donation of vehicles and equipment from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to support preparations for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2024. The Handover Ceremony, held on Friday, 6 December 2024, celebrated the ongoing collaboration between Samoa and Australia through the Samoa Australia Police Partnership (SAPP).

The event was attended by distinguished guests, including the Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency Mr. Will Robinson; AFP Senior Responsible Officer Superintendent Simon Penny; SAPP personnel; SPPCS Commissioner Auapa’au Logoitino Filipo and his Executive; Commissioner Tanuvasa Petone Mauga of the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority (SFESA); and the Honorable Minister of Police, Prisons and Corrections Services, Faualo Harry Schuster.

The fleet donated to the SPPCS includes:

– Five Ford Everest SUVs (one allocated to SFESA);

– Two Ford Ranger Wagons; and

– Two LDV V20 Vans, purchased locally in Samoa at a total cost of SAT $260,000.00.

An additional SAT $30,315.00 was allocated for the setup of all vehicles, including insurance coverage and registration prior to the handover. The total cost of the Ford Everest and Ford Ranger vehicles amounted to AUD $319,628.30, further demonstrating the AFP’s commitment to enhancing Samoa’s operational capacity.

In addition to the vehicles, the AFP provided a range of operational equipment for CHOGM, which includes:

– Eight new Recon Police Patrol electric bikes;

– Fifteen new motorcycles; and

– Twenty new police patrol bicycles.

These resources will significantly enhance the SPPCS’s operational readiness, mobility, and effectiveness in providing security for CHOGM and beyond.

SPPCS acknowledges the vital partnership with the AFP through SAPP, which continues to deliver critical support and resources for law enforcement in Samoa. The Honorable Minister Faualo Harry Schuster, on behalf of the Government of Samoa, extended gratitude to the AFP for its invaluable assistance in strengthening the nation’s policing capabilities.

The SPPCS remains committed to safeguarding Samoa’s security and ensuring the successful hosting of CHOGM 2024.