A video circulating on social media shows a police officer who was on duty last Friday during the Measina Festival celebrations in front of the Government Building allegedly assaulting a youth while escorting him away from the crowd.

At the beginning of the video, two police officers can be seen escorting the youth, who was watching the entertainment, away from the crowd.

While escorting the youth to the side, one of the police officers threw a punch at him, causing him to fall to the ground. Other police officers attended the scene, along with several bystanders who were seen rushing over as the officer continued to assault the youth.

Acting Police Commissioner Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga was questioned about the matter and confirmed that the police officer is under investigation.

“O le leoleo lea e toatasi o la ua fai suesuega, ma o taeao e fai ai le faaiuga ae o la ua fai le galuega ia o le suesue,” he said.

Leiataua further added that the ministry does not tolerate police officers assaulting individuals.

“O le mea mautinoa lava e leai a ni matagaluega e iai ni faatonuga e faaoolima sesi o le mea mautinoa lena, e ui lava o loo vaai atu I luga o isi pepa o loo faapea mai poo ai lea e aoaoa leoleo,” he said.

The Acting Police Commissioner told the media that police conduct and training are guided under the Samoa Qualifications Authority (SQA), and said he believes the actions of one police officer should not reflect on the entire ministry.

“O loo a’oa’o leoleo I tulafono ua uma ona pasia e le SQA o lona uiga o mea tau aoaoga o leoleo e maualuga ae e le avea le leoleo lea e toatasi o le a tele ai faamatalag,” he said.

Leiataua also called on the youth involved in the incident, saying the ministry is available if he wishes to lodge a complaint against the police officer.

“A’o faalogo mai foi le sa aafia I le mataupu lea lae matala le aia tatau, pe te sau e fai sau tagi pe a e manao e oo le mataupu I le faamasinoga e faasaga I le leoleo.

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