September 30, 2025
The Samoa Police, Prisons & Corrections Services proudly launched its Cybercrime Unit on Friday, 27th September 2025 at Police Headquarters in Apia.
This marks a historic milestone for Samoa Police as we step into a new frontier of law enforcement. Cybercrime is one of the fastest-growing threats in the world today, with criminals exploiting technology to commit fraud, scams, identity theft, and other offenses that can impact individuals, businesses, and national security. The establishment of this Unit ensures that Samoa is prepared, equipped, and capable of protecting its people in the digital space.
The success of this initiative was made possible through the strong partnership with the Australian Federal Police (AFP), whose financial support of more than AUD $200,000 provided the foundation for this Unit’s creation. The AFP continues to be one of Samoa’s most valued policing partners, working alongside us to strengthen security and law enforcement capacity across the Pacific. Special acknowledgment was given to Mr. Simon Penny, Senior Responsible Officer of the AFP, for his leadership and commitment to advancing this collaboration.
Recognition was also given to Muliagatele Enoka Feterika of the New Zealand Police through the Cyber Safety Pasefika initiative, who has been assisting from day one and played a vital role in setting up the Cyber Lab. The Commissioner further acknowledged the ICT Division, led by ACEO ICT Samoata Vatafaitoa Schwalger, together with the Digital Forensic Analyst Timothy Komiti and ICT officers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes in preparing the proposal and establishing the Unit.
The Cybercrime Unit will serve as a dedicated team of specialists focused on preventing, detecting, and investigating crimes committed online, while working closely with local and international partners, including ISPs, regional policing bodies, and technical experts.
This Unit is not only a boost for law enforcement but also a step forward for Samoa’s digital resilience- protecting our communities, building trust, and ensuring that technology is used for progress, not harm.
Excellence in Policing – Working Together for a Safer Samoa