14 Apr 2015

New police head in Samoa looks to improve reputation

6:25 am on 14 April 2015

The new Police Commissioner in Samoa says he wants to introduce a new level of transparency and accountability to the force.

Egon Keil, who has worked for the Los Angeles Police Department for most of his career, was sworn in over the weekend.

Mr Keil says intensive training programmes will be implemented under his leadership in order to improve policing in Samoa.

"In-service training about how we investigate crimes, how we deal with the public, media relations, investigate traffic collisions, DUIs. Personnel complaints as well, internal issues, so there is going to be a lot of different objectives that I have in mind."

Mr Keil says he will also work with various foreign police services to help improve transparency in Samoa.

Samoa's Police Commissioner, Egon Keil

Samoa's Police Commissioner, Egon Keil Photo: RNZI Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia