This week dedicated to Men and Women in Blue

This week is dedicated to the Men and Women in Blue, as proclaimed by Lt Governor Talauega Eleasalo Vaalele Ale for law enforcement officers.

Today officers were seen on the road waving to members of the public in honor of their week. Tomorrow will be an open house for Police stations across the territory and members of the public have the opportunity to see first-hand the work of officers.

In a proclamation issued in 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls, as National Police Week.

The members of the law enforcement agency of the Department of Public Safety play an important role in safeguarding the rights and freedoms of the citizens of our community.

It is important that all citizens know and understand the problems, duties and responsibilities of their police department, and that members of our department recognize their duty to serve the people by safeguarding life and property, protecting them against violence or disorder, and protecting the innocent against deception and the weak against oppression or intimidation; and our police department will continue to grow and develop into a modern law enforcement agency which unceasingly provides a vital public service.

Talauega urges citizens to join in commemorating the Sworn-In law enforcement officers, civilian personnel and Commissioners from past and present, who by their faithful and loyal devotion to their communities, have established for themselves the rights and security of all citizens of American Samoa.