The Police Commissioner in American Samoa is defending promotions recently given to police officers after public complaints.
32 police officers were promoted last week but Samoa News reports that officers who were not promoted complained about the ones who were.
The police commissioner, Tuaolo M Fruean, has responded to the complaints, saying a promotion comes from integrity, hard work and honesty, which are core values police officers must sustain.
Mr Fruean says officers who have the habit of calling in sick during working days and always take holiday leave should not expect to be promoted to a captain or sergeant rank.
He adds that promotions are not based on who an officer knows, or who they may be related to in government but are based on daily work performance.
