13 Jul 2018

Despite controversy, Keil to continue as Samoa police chief

7:26 am on 13 July 2018
Samoa's Police Commissioner Fuiavailili Egon Keil.

Samoa's Police Commissioner Fuiavailili Egon Keil. Photo: RNZI/Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia

Samoa's police commissioner will continue in his role with the government's vote of confidence, despite a three year tenure that's been marred by controversy.

However, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, who is also the police minister, says Fuiavailili Egon Keil made it by an inch of his index finger.

Tuilaepa says Fuiavailili, who is originally from the United States, was chosen ahead of three other applicants for a post he's held for the past three years.

Those three years have been marred by controversy -- not least his arrest on dozens of charges of gun possession, intimidation and an attempt to procure, incite and counsel murder.

Those charges were eventually thrown out by the Supreme Court, and Fuiavailili was reinstated, but rifts in the police force remained.