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Governor yet to appoint new police commissioner
Governor Togiola Tulafono has accepted Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sotoa Savali’s resignation. However, the name of a replacement is yet to be announced.
Sotoa submitted his resignation to Governor Togiola last month, not long after his brother and former ASG Treasurer Velega Savali announced his candidacy for Lt. Governor in the upcoming gubernatorial election set for November.
Sotoa’s resignation goes into effect May 9, at which time deputy police commissioner Filifaatali Mike Fuiava will oversee the department until the Governor makes an official appointment, which is subject to approval from the Fono.
In an April 29 letter to Sotoa, Togiola wrote, “It is with great reluctance that I accept your resignation. I have always held you in high esteem and treasured your opinions among those of my most trusted advisors.”
Togiola thanked Sotoa for his service not only as police commissioner but also as Secretary of Samoan Affairs, which lasted from mid 1997 to 2005, the year he was appointed and confirmed to head the Department of Public Safety.
Sotoa has extensive years of service to the American Samoa Government. Prior to joining the Executive Branch, Sotoa served in the Legislature as an advisor to the Senate President and the Speaker of the House from 1987-1997.
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