13 Aug 2014

Samoan police preparing for SIDS conference

6:42 am on 13 August 2014

The Samoa police are testing the country's readiness for the Small Islands Developing States Conference next month by running practise events.

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Photo: RNZ

The officer in charge of SIDS planning, Ituau Ale Junior, says with more than 3,000 people expected to arrive in Apia in three weeks, officers must be very prepared.

He says police are running through traffic control logistics and transporting delegates.

"The primary focus of the government will be on SIDS and we've already established timings for when we transport people to the conference. At the same time there will be uniformed officers at all intersections. We're just trying to make sure the safety of our guests, and also the safety of the general public is our concern."

Ituau Ale Junior says there will be 700 Samoan police officers working during SIDS week, working alongside 300 auxillary officers.