Handover of a K9, courtesy of the New Zealand Police, to the Samoan Police, Prisons and Correctional Services.

K9 Estelle was officially handed over to the Samoa Police, Prisons and Corrections Services yesterday afternoon. Commissioner Auapa’au Logoitino Filipo expressed gratitude to NZ Senior Pacific Liaison Officer Superintendent Glyn Rowland and the New Zealand Police for their continuous support. This is in efforts to assist Samoa in combating crimes detected at borders. Commissioner Filipo noted that this support will help to strengthen the Police’s capacity to detect, investigate, and prosecute criminals. He also highlighted the need for ongoing collaboration between Samoa and New Zealand to continue to fight against border and transnational crimes.

Furthermore, he thanked the Ministry of Revenue and Customs (MCR) for its collaborative work with SPPCS each day to ensure safety at our borders.

Superintendent Glyn Rowland thanked Commissioner Auapa’au and Deputy Commissioner Lafaitele Herbert Aati for their support to the cause.

He further added that if we work together, we can create a safer environment for all, referencing the Pacific Island Chiefs of Police (PICP) vision “Our Blue Pacific, Safer Together”.

SPPCS acknowledges the ongoing support of the New Zealand government through the NZ MFAT supported Pacific Detector Dog Programme (PDDP) with the NZ Police and NZ Customs.

Further to the K9 handover, SPPCS acknowledged Flames’ services a K9 Labrador retriever who has served SPPCS for 6 years. Flames on her first day on the job successfully detected drugs at Fagalii Airport. The K9 Labrador has since succeeded in all the work SPPCS has conducted throughout its time in the field.

Her handler- Constable Mozart Milo during his remarks in recognition of his partner’s service stated Flames has never failed to show up for a job and is proud to have her as his partner.

Commissioner Auapa’au presented a certificate of recognition to Constable Mozart Milo to thank his partner Flames for her service to SPPCS and Samoa.

We would like to welcome k9 Estelle to the Blue team, and we would like to thank K9 Flames for your service to SPPCS.