"DPA Security" replaces airport police and security guards at ports

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The power to arrest suspected violators of the law which had rested solely with police officers, has now been given to security officers of the Department of Port Authority.

This follows the governor’s signing of a Senate bill which will “allow the Director of the Department of Port Administration to designate employees with restricted authority for arrest as security officers, upon completion of proper training and certification through a local or federal police academy.”

These designated employees shall be called “DPA Security Officers”, a term which will replace the terms airport police and security guards as mandated in the bill.

They shall have all the powers of police officers in enforcing the law including the power of arrest.

However, the enforcement of these powers are “restricted to within the buildings, grounds and property that are managed, occupied or secured by the Department, subject to the criminal procedures with respect to warrants and arrests set out in current law will ensure these officers act appropriately and safely in every situation.”

The bill which was introduced by Senators Togiola T.A. Tulafono, Utu Sila Poasa and Satele Aliitai Lili’o was rejected by the Senate’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee and tabled for further review when it was first introduced in August last year.

The bill’s Preamble highlighted the need to lift the standard of security at all the ports of entry to the Territory, not just the airport.

It pointed out that “since 9/11, billions of dollars nation-wide, have been poured into heightening airport security, while the Port continue to neglected. The Port is a vital government infrastructure, with over 70 percent of our Territory’s imports, more than double the cargo received at the Pago Pago Airport, entering by way of the Port.

“Furthermore, the Port generates millions of dollars, each year, for the American Samoa Government (ASG). Thus, ASG must elevate the level of security at all ports of entry of the Territory.

“American Samoa faces increasingly complex and specialized crimes that warrant the need for law enforcement services in the Department of Port Administration (DPA) to reinforce the protection of our ports of entry, both at the Pago Pago Airport and Ports.”

After further review, the bill was passed in third and final reading last September.

In his letter to Fono leaders dated March 18, 2024, Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga informed them that he had signed the bill into law.

“The time and effort you and your colleagues have invested in considering this important law is greatly appreciated,” he wrote.

A similar administration bill introduced in the Senate last August, also sought powers of arrest for employees of the Department of Homeland Security for violations involving drugs and human trafficking.

It was rejected by the Senate Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee pending further review.